TYPHOON

What is a Typhoon ?

A typhoon is a type of large storm system having a circular or spiral system of violent winds,
typically hundreds of kilometers or miles in diameter. The winds spiral around a region of low
atmospheric pressure. "Typhoon" is the name of these storms that occur in the Western Pacific.
"Hurricane" is the name given to these storms in the Atlantic Ocean and Eastern Pacific. In the Indian
Ocean, they are called "Tropical Cyclones". For stronger typhoons, a characteristic structure called the
"eye" forms when the maximum wind speeds exceed about 85 miles per hour, or 140 kilometers per hour.
The eye is a region of clear air with no clouds, and is a few tens of kilometers in diameter. The energy
that powers typhoons comes from the evaporation of warm ocean water. The water vapor rises to the top
of the typhoon along the sides of the eye, then condenses into clouds. Warmer ocean water produces more
powerful typhoons, which can grow into "super typhoons".

The physics of typhoons depends on a balance between the low pressure at the center of the storm
and the Coriolis force that comes from the rotation of the earth. Since the Coriolis force is zero at the
Earth's equator, typhoons can only form at latitudes that are more than about 10 degrees north or south of
the Earth's equator. Due to the Coriolis force, the winds in a typhoon spiral in the counter-clockwise
direction in the northern hemisphere when observed from above. The winds spiral in the clockwise
direction in the southern hemisphere.

Typhoons are measured on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Category 1 storms have the lowest wind
speeds. Category 5 storms are the most powerful and have the highest wind speeds.
 TRIVIA BONANZA

1. The Phillipine Danger Zone

The Philippines is considered to be one of the most hazard prone countries in the world.
This is due to its geographical location. It is within the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is
composed over 75% of the world's active and dormant volcanoes, and the Pacific Typhoon
Belt, a belt between 10 and 40 degrees north latitude where typhoons are very common.

Pacific Ring of Fire

2. Philippines May Never Be Ready for Typhoons

The Philippines is surrounded with salt water, thus it is more prone to tropical storm hit. The
country has 7,107 separate islands, there are several coastlines that are vulnerable to storm
surges. The Philippines is a Third-World country, with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per
capita of just USD 4,500 in 2012. Its population is increasing up to 96 million people and live
in poor financial, shelter, and government assistance.

Philippine Population Density of 2009

 3. Naming of Philippine Storm

In the middle of the 20th century, American forecasters have named tropical storms after
people. Based on American practice, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical
Services Administration (PAGASA) started assigning Filipino names in alphabetical order to storms
in 1963. It included the names of flowers, animals, and food.

Philippine Tropical Cyclone Names

4. Warning Signals in the Philippines

In January 2012, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III issued Executive Order No. 66 which
included the complete rules of cancellation and suspension of classes. Warning signals of rain
pour means automatic cancellation and suspension of classes.
Signal #1:
Meteorological Conditions: Winds of 30-60 km/h (20-35 mph) are expected to occur
within 36 hours.
Impact of the winds: Twigs and branches of trees may be broken; Some banana plants
may be tilted or downed; Some houses of very light materials such as nipa or cogon may
be partially unroofed; Rice crop may suffer significant damage when it is in flowering
stage
Other remarks: Cancellation or suspension of classes for pre-school level in the affected
area.
Signal #2:
Meteorological Conditions: Winds of 60-100 km/h (40-65 mph) are expected to occur
within 24 hours.
Impact of the winds: Some coconut trees may be tilted or broken down; Few big trees
may be uprooted; Many banana plants may be downed; Rice and corn may be greatly
affected; Large number of nipa and cogon houses may be partially or fully be unroofed;
 Some old galvanized iron roofings may be peeled off; May bring light to moderate
damages to the exposed communities.
Other remarks: Cancellation or suspension of classes for pre-school, elementary, and
secondary level in the affected area.
Signal #3:
Meteorological Conditions: Winds of 100-185 km/h (65-115 mph) are expected to occur
within 18 hours.
Impact of the Winds:A large number of coconut trees may be broken down or destroyed;
Almost all banana plants may be downed and trees uprooted; Rice and corn may suffer a
large losses; A great number of nipa and cogon houses may be destroyed, and there may
be slight to moderate damage to structures of light to medium construction; There may be
a widespread disconnection of electricity and communication services; May bring heavy
damages, particularly in the agricultural and industrial sectors.
Other remarks: Cancellation or suspension of classes at the pre-school, elementary, and
secondary level, including graduate schools in the affected area.
Signal #4:
Meteorological Conditions: Winds of at least 185 km/h (115 mph) are expected to occur
within 12 hours; Cancellation or suspension of all levels, including company workers.
Impact of the Winds: Coconut plantation may suffer tremendous damage; Many large
trees may be uprooted; Rice and corn may suffer severe losses; Most residential and
institutional buildings of different type of construction may be severely destroyed; Severe
disruption of electrical and communication services; Heavy damage may be experienced
to affected communities.

Public Storm Warning Signal # 1

 5. Average Number of Storms that Strike the Country Yearly.
In a year, the average number of tropical storms entering the country is eight or nine.
Excluded to the count is another 10 entering the Philippine waters. 1993 was the worst year
when 19 cyclones entered the countrys coastline. On the other hand, in 2013, only six storms
have affected the county.

Rainfall associated with tropical cyclones may be harmful when the amount is so large as to cause flooding.

6. Deadliest Storm on Record

Bagyong Yolanda (International name: Haiyan) hit the Philippines in 2013 leaving a
death toll of around 10,000. It devastated mostly places in Visayas especially Tacloban City, where
almost everything were wiped out. Billions of financial and in-kind donations were given to
Philippine government for the victims of the typhoon. The said typhoon is currently considered as the
Philippines deadliest storm ever. It has a sustained winds of 313 km/h and gusts of up to 380 km/h.

A house destroyed during super typhoon Yolanda

7. The Worst Typhoon Before Yolanda

According to the World Meteorological Organization, Typhoon Reming, also known as

Durian, was considered the strongest cyclone that destroyed the Philippines before Yolanda.
It hit the Philippines last November 2006. It has a wind speed of 193 kilometer per hour and
gusts of 320 km/h.
 Upon making landfall, the powerful winds of the hurricane blew away houses, uprooted
trees, and left tens of thousands of residents without power. Widespread flooding was
reported in Legazpi City. The typhoon produced heavy rainfall across its path, with localized
totals reaching over 18 inches in Albay province. Earlier eruptions of Mayon Volcano
combined with the rainfall to result in widespread mudslides across the province.

Super Typhoon Durian's total rainfall

8. Storm with the Most Expensive Damage Cost

The storm with the most expensive damage cost that hit the country was the typhoon
Bopha in December 2012. It killed more than 1,900 people and cost the country more than
USD 1 billion. Second on the record was typhoon Parma which hit the country in October
2009, leaving a damage worth USD 600 million.

Aftermath of Typhoon Bopha in Cateel, Davao Oriental

9. Worst Death Toll Before Yolanda

Bagyong Uring was a weak tropical storm having only 95 km/h wind speed, but because
of the heavy precipitation, the rivers overflowed that resulted into a landslide in mid-morning
of 5 November 1991. The rain continuously poured out for one week making the rivers
 overflow. The storm affected Samar, Leyte, Cebu, and Negros. The unofficial estimate of
death was more than 8,000.

PSWS Map and Track of TS Uring (Thelma) as it affects the Central Philippines

10. Marikina City during Ondoy

The famous Marikina River was one of those rivers to overflowed last October 2012
during typhoon Ondoy. According to Meliton B. Juanico, an urban and environmental
planner, the spot where Provident Village lies in Marikina is not suitable for residency. It is
hemmed in by the Marikina River, which flows from the province of Rizal in the north and
forms an inverted letter S right near Calumpang, turning up to Taong, then down again to
Barangka. Provident Village, as well as several other subdivisions, are inside the top curve of
the inverted S. The top curve of the inverted S, in a way, catches the river, breaking its flow.

Aerial photograph of the area around the Manggahan Floodway in the immediate aftermath of TS Ondoy