Chapter 13 - Dealing with Emergencies

Typhoons | Earthquakes
Other Volcanic Activity | Other Emergencies

Contingency planning - preparing for the unexpected should be an essential element in any family or personal routine. When locating to another country and especially one where the unexpected regularly occurs, it becomes essential. With some emergent situations such as typhoons, there is at least a warning ahead of time while others will strike unexpectedly. How you cope with this aspect of life in the Philippines will depend in large measure on how you prepare ahead of time.

A word of advice at the outset: The embassies of some countries operate a warden system for their nationals within each area. Upon arrival find out if your embassy operates such a system. If so, register your presence and enquire what information they make available. The more you are informed, the better you will be prepared.

Typhoons

A typhoon is a tropical storm of damaging proportions. In the United States they are known as hurricanes while in Australia they are called cyclones.

Commonly it is believed that the word derives from the Chinese Tai-fung meaning "big wind" others claim its origin is Greek-Arabic from tuphõn or "whirlwind."

Typhoons can hit at any time of the year but are most likely to occur in the Philippines from July to October.

There are generally four types of typhoon:

- Tropical depressions have wind speeds of 29 mph (46 kph) or less.
- Tropical storms have wind speeds between 29 mph (46 kph) and 55.5mph (89 kph).
- Typhoons have wind speeds between 55.5 mph (89 kph) and 114.5 mph (183 kph).
- Super typhoons have wind speeds greater than 114.5 mph (183 kph).

In the Philippines, four signals are hoisted progressively at the onset of a typhoon:

Signal #1 signifies a threat of an approaching typhoon or tropical depression within thirty-six hours.

Signal #2 indicates the likelihood of a typhoon within twenty-four hours.

Signal #3 means that a typhoon is expected within eighteen hours.

Signal #4 is used to denote a direct hit by a typhoon within twelve hours.

As soon as the first typhoon signal is raised you should begin preparations. Quite often the approach of a typhoon will bring heavy rains and render roads - even arterial roads within the metropolitan area impassable. Be aware of the needs of your office staff to reach their homes in such circumstances.

Quite often power outages occur during storms. These outages can last from minutes to several days. On occasion, water supply can also be interrupted.

Once the Number 3 signal is raised schooling is suspended and government offices are usually closed. Private business takes its cue from government announcements.

Two radio stations provide regular typhoon and road conditions: radio DZHP at AM 1130 KHz and FM station WLS at 97 MHz. Information.

Cable TV channel ANC - Channel 21 also broadcasts regular news bulletins updating typhoon information.

Typhoon Preparations

Typhoons present not only a danger to property but also to family health concerns. During a typhoon, impure water, spoiled food and undisposed garbage and sewage can lead to sickness. Normally provided services may not be available for days during an emergency. You should prepare your household to function without outside services for at least several days. The following measures will help your family members to stay healthy during a typhoon:

- Store enough drinking water to last through seven days: at least two gallons for each family member, three gallons for each child under three years of age. People can survive for quite some time without food, but safe water is a necessity. During a typhoon, normal water supply for drinking and sewage disposal may be disrupted. Either fill clean containers from a known potable source or purchase bottled water from reliable local distillers. Emergency drinking water can be made by adding five drops of household bleach to one gallon of water or by boiling water for 15 minutes. To reduce consumption of emergency drinking water, supplement with other fluids such as canned juices and sodas.

- Keep enough canned food on hand for seven days. Power outages can be counted on during and after typhoons and naturally, refrigerators and freezers will not operate. If the power outage is lengthy, fresh food may spoil. Powdered, condensed or evaporated milk is a handy substitute for fresh milk. When purchasing emergency food supplies, stick to items that can be eaten without cooking. Electrical power may be disrupted and gas supplies difficult to obtain for days.

- Fill all bathtubs, sinks and containers with water, then use this water to operate toilets. If the water supply is disrupted during a typhoon, flush toilets cannot be used because there is not enough water in the toilet tank to flush waste refuse down the sewer.

- Have household insecticide and deodorant spray on hand.

- Be sure to have the following on hand

1. Emergency medical kit (as per earthquake procedures - see box);
2. Flashlights and extra batteries, rechargeable lanterns and candles (including matches;
3. Portable radio and extra batteries;
4. Water and food in the cupboards (see earthquake procedures);
5. Portable gas stove and extra gas canisters;
6. Personal hygiene items in the cupboard (see earthquake procedures);
7. Cellular telephone that is kept fully charged;

- Check roof, doors and windows for leaks and make sure all latches are secure and not damaged;

- Obtain plastic sheeting for furniture protection and tape for windows;

- Organize valuable papers into a waterproof packet;

- Collect tin cans to put under furniture feet.

Typhoon Conditions

Please note that these are progressive tasks, for example by the time there is a Condition 4, you should already have completed the tasks for Conditions 3,2 and 1.

Signal 1 - destructive winds or between 30 - 60 kph and intermittent rain that can be heavy and which often causes flooding:

- Fill your gas tank; power loss may disable pumps during storms;
- Make extra ice cubes (4-6 trays) for short-term cold storage if power fails. If the power goes out, open the refrigerator and freezer as little as possible. A refrigerator will maintain its temperature for 24 hours or more unless opened. Use an ice storage chest for short periods of 24 hours to 48 hours;
- Fill bathtub and sinks with water for cooking and flushing;
- Use plastic wrap around stoppers to seal drains;
- Check bottled water supply;
- Listen to the radio for regular typhoon updates. Within 36 hours from landfall, most radio stations include hourly typhoon updates as part of their regular newscasts.


Signal 2 - destructive winds and heavy rains expected in 24 hours; winds of between 60 - 100 kph; heavy rains and severe flooding can be expected in low-lying areas;

- Move furniture away from windows;
- Empty cupboards of water perishable items if near windows or doors;
- Roll up rugs and place on furniture;
- Place furniture legs in tin cans or on bricks in case of flooding;
- Remove debris and loose equipment from your yard;
- Tie down or trim trees and bushes;
- Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest setting.

Signal 3 - destructive winds and heavy rains expected in 18 hours; winds of more than 100 kph;

- Business and commerce closes down;
- Typhoons become the top news story on radio and television. Hourly newscasts begin with a typhoon update;
- Traffic is restricted to emergency vehicles only;
- Power loss is common. The electric company monitors power outages and repairs will be made as soon as possible. Do not tie up the telephone system with unnecessary reports;
- Park your car in a car park or on high ground and in an area free from falling trees or flying debris;
- If leaks develop in the ceiling, you may have to make a small drain hole to localize the leakage;
- To prevent windows from shattering and to minimize leaks, tape all windows except one on the side of the house away from the storm. Leave this one window open a few inches to avoid creating a vacuum in the house. Expect some leakage in any case.

Signal 4 - a direct hit within 12 hours and gusts of more than 185 kph; torrential rain and widespread flooding;

- Stay indoors, away from windows and keep curtains closed. Winds can knock adults and children down, snap power lines and shatter glass;
- Store all refuse in large plastic trash bags and close them securely. Debris and empty cans attract insects that may carry disease into your home. Household insecticides may also be helpful to discourage insects;
- Do not leave your home if the winds suddenly die down. You are in the eye of the storm and winds will resume with full force from the opposite direction.
- Typhoon Recovery - the typhoon's radius has cleared the immediate area but danger still exists;
- Stay at home! Roads may be blocked due to landslides, flooding or downed power lines or trees;
- Traffic restricted to official vehicles only. Offices, facilities remain closed;
- Do not go "sightseeing." Danger still exists due to downed power lines and local flooding.

Wait for notification that it is safe to leave your home.



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