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Typhoon Preparedness 101

Typhoon Preparedness 101

Contribute to typhoon preparedness and relief efforts

 

 

Our country has suffered a quadruple hit from typhoons Quinta, Siony, Rolly and of course, the most recent, Ulysses. Countless homes and agricultural lands have been battered and flooded. If your area has not been scathed by any of this year’s deadly typhoons, consider reaching out to organizations dedicated to giving back to those who have lost everything. It’s time to lend a helping hand to our neighboring communities. 

 

Here is a list of organizations to donate to:

 

For those who are unable to lend a helping hand due to the pandemic, Filipino YouTubers such as Donnalyn Bartolome have set up videos as a way to collect monetary value for donations. Currently, Bartolome’s video has already reached 1.8M views. Contribute by watching the full video without skipping advertisements!

 

 

But while it's great to help out, remember that it's also important to be prepared yourselves—as much as you can, anyway.

 

Tips and Safety

In order to minimize the impacts of a typhoon on lives and properties, prepare a disaster management plan. Keep your pets and family safe before, during and after by following these steps encouraged by the Philippine Red Cross. 

 

Before

  • Prepare or purchase a 72-hour lifeline kit, which you can get on book.redcross1158.com
  • Monitor weather reports and do not ignore rainfall warning alerts 
  • Prepare copies of important documents such as passports, birth certificates, titles and contracts in sealed Ziplock bags
  • Charge all communication devices beforehand
  • Pack a bag of food and water supply
  • Secure your pets in a safe place and have them ready to go in case of evacuation
  • Check your home for any area that needs to be fixed or secured (i.e. leaky roofs and trees that need to be trimmed) 
  • Evacuate immediately and calmly if your local government declares clearance 
  • Prepare a list of emergency hotlines and place them in an area that's easily accessible:
    • National emergency Hotline: 911
    • Philippine Red Cross: 143 / (02) 8527-8385 to 95
    • Philippine Coast Guard: (02) 8527-8481 to 89, (02) 8527-3877, (02) 8527-3880 to 85
    • MMDA: 136 / (02) 8882-4151 to 77
    • PNP: 117 / (02) 8722-0650

 

During

  • Stay indoors 
  • As much as possible, use flashlights instead of candles during a power outage
  • Continue listening to TV or radio for information and updates
  • Turn off the power and water mains if instructed to do so by local authorities
  • Avoid contact with floodwater. It may be contaminated with sewage or contain dangerous insects or animals
  • Don't walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Just six inches of fast-flowing water can knock you over and two feet will float a car
  • If caught on a flooded road with rapidly rising waters, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground.
  • Stay out of areas subject to flooding. Underpasses, dips, low spots, canyons, washes, etc. can quickly become filled with water

 

After

  • Let friends and family know you’re safe
  • If evacuated, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so
  • If your home has been damaged, check first if it is safe and stable before entering
  • Watch out for wires and outlets submerged in water
  • Report any damaged electric posts and cables to authorities
  • Do not plug in and use appliances or other electrical devices that have been flooded
  • Continue listening to local news for updated information and instruction
  • Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding

 

 

RELATED: Remembering Ondoy 11 Years After

 

Typhoon preparedness should not be taken lightly. Practice proper procedures and ensure that everyone in the household is aware of each step. A proactive approach in securing your family and property will aid in less damage. Once the typhoon has cleared, always remember to check on your loved ones! While you are unscathed, others may have been affected—and any and all help will go far. 

 

 

Art Matthew Ian Fetalver

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