Maychelou R.

Castillo
HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL HAZARDS Faculty – MSU SHS Department
Gen. Santos City
OBJECTIVES
1. Recognize signs of impending hydro
meteorological hazards DRR11/12-llc-d-33
2. Interpret different hydro meteorological
hazards DRR11/12-llc-d-35
3. Use available tools for monitoring hydro
meteorological hazards DRR11/12-llc-d-36
POTENTIAL HYDRO-METEOROLOGICAL
HAZARDS
The following are the most common
hydrometeorological hazards as defined by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA):
CYCLONE
It is an intense low pressure system which is
characterized by strong spiral winds towards the
center, called the “Eye” in a counter-clockwise flow
in the northern hemisphere. Hazards due to tropical
cyclones strong winds with heavy rainfall that can
cause widespread flooding/flash floods, storm
surges, landslides, and mudflows.
AREAS OF FORMATION OF TROPICAL
CYCLONE IN THE WORLD
Tropical North Atlantic Ocean
East of the Lesser Antilles and the Caribbean, east of
70°W during the months of July to October
North of the West Indies in June to October
Western Caribbean during the months of June and late
September to early November
Gulf of Mexico during the months of June to November
AREAS OF FORMATION OF TROPICAL
CYCLONE IN THE WORLD
Western North Pacific Ocean , including
the Philippines , during the months of May to November,
but storms sometimes occur in all months.
North Pacific off the West Coast of Central America
during the months of June to October.
Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea from May to June and
October to November.
AREAS OF FORMATION OF TROPICAL
CYCLONE IN THE WORLD
South Pacific Ocean, West of 140°W from December to
April.
South Indian Ocean from December to April.
Northwestern Coast of Australia during the months of
November to April
West of 90°E from November to May
AREAS OF FORMATION OF TROPICAL
CYCLONE IN THE WORLD
Below are the frequencies of tropical cyclones per 10 years in the different areas
where tropical cyclones are formed:
North Atlantic Ocean - 73
North Pacific, off West Coast of Mexico - 57
North Pacific Ocean, west of 170°E - 211
North Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal - 60
North Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea - 15
South Indian Ocean, west of 90°E - 61
South Indian Ocean, Northwestern Australia - 9
CLASSIFICATION OF CYCLONE (PAGASA)
TROPICAL DEPRESSION (TD) - a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of
up to 61 kilometers per hour (kph) or less than 33 nautical miles per hour (knots) .
TROPICAL STORM (TS) - a tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed of 62 to 88
kph or 34 - 47 knots.
SEVERE TROPICAL STORM (STS) , a tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed of 89
to 117 kph or 48 - 63 knots.
TYPHOON (TY) - a tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed of 118 to 220 kph or
64 - 120 knots.
SUPER TYPHOON (STY) - a tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed exceeding
220 kph or more than 120 knots.
TYPHOON
•Is a large, powerful and violent tropical cyclone.
•It is a low pressure area rotating counter-clockwise.
•It contains rising warm air that forms over warm water
in the Western Pacific Ocean.
•It inflict great damage due to thunderstorm, violent
winds, torrential rain, floods, landslides, and large
waves associated with storm surges.
TYPHOON

A typhoon is called:
Hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean,
Cyclone in the Indian Ocean,
Wily-wily in Australia.
THUNDERSTORM
•It is a weather condition that produces lightning,
and thunder, heavy rainfall from cumulonimbus
clouds and possibly a tornado.
•It is a violent local atmospheric disturbance
accompanied by lightning, thunder, and heavy rain,
and often string gusts of wind, and sometimes hail.
THUNDERSTORM
•The typical thunderstorm caused by convection
(upward atmospheric motion that transports whatever is in the air
along with it) occurs when the sun’s warmth has heated
a large body of moist air near the ground.
•The air rises and is cooled by expansion.
•The cooling condenses the water vapor present in
the air, forming a cumulus cloud.
THUNDERSTORM
•Thunderstorm occur most frequently in the
equatorial zone (some localities have as many as
200 a year) and seldom in the polar region.
•Worldwide, there are an estimated 16 million
thunderstorms each year, and at any given moment,
there are roughly 2,000 thunderstorms in progress.
TORNADO
A tornado is a narrow, violently rotating column
of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the
ground. Because wind is invisible, it is hard to see a
tornado unless it forms a condensation funnel made
up of water droplets, dust and debris. Tornadoes
can be among the most violent phenomena of all
atmospheric storms we experience.
ENHANCED F SCALE FOR TORNADO DAMAGE

FUJITA SCALE DERIVED EF SCALE OPERATIONAL EF SCALE

Fastest 1/4- 3 Second Gust 3 Second Gust 3 Second Gust

F Number EF Number EF Number
mile (mph) (mph) (mph) (mph)

0 40-72 45-78 0 65-85 0 65-85

1 73-112 79-117 1 86-109 1 86-110
2 113-157 118-161 2 110-137 2 111-135
3 158-207 162-209 3 138-167 3 136-165
4 208-260 210-261 4 168-199 4 166-200
5 261-318 262-317 5 200-234 5 Over 200
FLASHFLOOD
A flood caused by heavy or excessive rainfall in a short
period of time, generally less than 6 hours. Flash floods are
usually characterized by raging torrents after heavy rains that
rip through river beds, urban streets, or mountain canyons
sweeping everything before them. They can occur within minutes
or a few hours of excessive rainfall. They can also occur even if
no rain has fallen, for instance after a levee or dam has failed,
or after a sudden release of water by a debris or ice jam.
(www.weather.gov)
FLOOD
An overflow of water onto normally dry land.
The inundation of a normally dry area caused by
rising water in an existing waterway, such as a
river, stream, or drainage ditch. Ponding of water
at or near the point where the rain fell. Flooding is
a longer term event than flash flooding: it may last
days or weeks. (www.weather.gov)
STORM SURGE
The storm surge is an abnormal rise of water
due to a tropical cyclone and it is an oceanic event
responding to meteorological driving forces.
Potentially disastrous surges occur along coasts
with low-lying terrain that allows inland
inundation, or across inland water bodies such as
bays, estuaries, lakes and rivers.
STORM SURGE
For riverine situations, the surge is sea water
moving up the river. A fresh water flooding moving
down a river due to rain generally occurs days
after a storm event and is not considered a storm
surge. For a typical storm, the surge affects about
160 km of coastline for a period of several hours.
EL NIÑO AND LA NIÑA
El Niño and La Niña are complex weather patterns
resulting from variations in ocean temperatures in the
Equatorial Pacific. These two phenomena are opposite
phases of what is know as El Niño-Southern Oscillation
(ENSO) cycle.
ENSO cycle happens in the east-central Equatorial
Pacific (approx. between the International Date Line and
120 degrees West).
EL NIÑO AND LA NIÑA
La Niña is sometimes referred to as the cold
phase of ENSO and El Niño as the warm phase of
ENSO.
These deviations from normal surface
temperatures can have a large-scale impacts not
only on ocean processes, but also on global
weather and climate.
EL NIÑO AND LA NIÑA
ENSO episodes typically last 9 to 12 months,
but sometimes prolonged events may last for years.
Their frequency is irregular, but events occur on
average every 2 to 7 years.
Typically, El Niño occurs more frequently than
La Niña.
SIGNS OF AN IMPENDING TYPHOON OR
HURRICANE
Every typhoon/hurricane is different and there
are many factors that contribute to its development.
However, the following is a general sequence of
events that could occur during the development of
a Category 2 typhoon/hurricane (96-110 mph)
approaching a coastal area (Herald Tribune,
2011):
96 HOURS BEFORE LANDFALL:

•No apparent signs of a storm.

•Barometer is steady.
•Winds are light and variable.
•Fair-weather cumulus clouds appear.
72 HOURS BEFORE LANDFALL:

•Swell on the ocean surface has increased to about

6ft.
•Waves come in every 9 seconds.
•This means that the storm, far over the horizon, is
approaching.
48 HOURS BEFORE LANDFALL:
•The sky is clear.
•Barometer is steady, and the wind is almost calm.
•The swell is now about 9ft and coming in every 8
seconds.
36 HOURS BEFORE LANDFALL:
•The first sign of storm appear.
•The barometer is falling slightly, the wind is around 11mph.
•Ocean swell is about 13ft, and coming 7 seconds apart.
•On the horizon large mass of white cirrus clouds appear. As
it approaches it covers more of the horizon.
•A hurricane watch is issued, areas with long evacuation time
are given the order to begin.
30 HOURS BEFORE LANDFALL:
•The sky is covered by a high overcast.
•Barometer is falling at .1 millibar per hour.
•Winds pick up to 23mph.
•Ocean swell is coming 5secs apart, is beginning to be
obscured by wind-driven waves.
•Small whitecaps begin to appear on the ocean surface.
24 HOURS BEFORE LANDFALL:
•Small low clouds appear overhead.
•Barometer is falling by .2 millibar per hour.
•Wind up to 34mph.
•The wind driven waves are covered in whitecaps.
•Streaks of foam begin to ride over the surface.
•Evacuation should be completed and final preparations made by this
time.
•A hurricane warning is issued, and people living in low lying areas and
mobile homes are ordered to evacuate.
18 HOURS BEFORE LANDFALL:
•The low clouds are thicker and bring driving rain
squalls with gusty winds.
•Barometer dropping at half a millibar per hour.
•The winds whistling by at 46mph.
•It is hard to stand against the wind.
12 HOURS BEFORE LANDFALL:
•Rain squalls are more frequent and winds don’t diminish
after they depart.
•The cloud ceiling is getting lower.
•Barometer is falling at 1 millibar per hour.
•Wind is howling at hurricane force at 74mph.
•The sea advances with every storm wave that crashes
ashore, and foam patches.
6 HOURS BEFORE LANDFALL:
•The rain is constant and the 92mph wind drives
horizontally.
•Barometer is falling 1.5 millibar per hour.
•Storm surge has advances above the high tide mark.
•The sea surface a whitish mass of spray.
•It is impossible to stand upright outside without bracing.
1 HOUR BEFORE LANDFALL:
•Rain becomes heavier.
•Low areas inland become flooded.
•The winds are at 104mph.
•Barometer is falling at 2 millibar per hour.
•The sea is white with foam and streaks.
•Storm surge has covered coastal roads and 16 foot
waves crashes into buildings near the shore.
LANDFALL - THE EYE OF THE STORM
•The wind begin to slacken, and the sky starts to brighten.
•The rain ends abruptly, the clouds break and blue sky is seen.
•Barometer continues falling at 3 millibar per hour and the storm surge
reaches the furthest inland.
•The winds fall to near calm, but the air is uncomfortably warm and humid.
•Huge wall of cloud appear on every side brilliant white in the sunlight.
•Then the winds begin to pick up slightly and clouds on the far side wall
loom overhead.
TYPHOON: PREPAREDNESS (WHAT TO DO
BEFORE)
•Establish and maintain coordination with Barangay
Disaster Coordinating Councils (BDCC) and
personnel.
•Ensure that house can withstand heavy rain and
strong winds. House built at ground level may be
anchored by guy wires to strengthen the stability of
the structure.
TYPHOON: PREPAREDNESS (WHAT TO DO
BEFORE)
•Learn more about typhoon and other weather
disturbances, their signs and warnings, effects and
dangers and how to protect house and other
properties.
•Learn something relevant to mitigation and
preparedness for tropical cyclones.
•Participate actively in the school drills.
TYPHOON: RESPONSE (WHAT TO DO DURING)
•Monitor through radio and other reliable sources
the latest official report of PAGASA on the
typhoon.
•When house is no longer safe, evacuate
immediately to safer place like evacuation centers
or house of relatives that are proven stable and
can withstand strong wind and rain.
TYPHOON: RESPONSE (WHAT TO DO DURING)
•Stay indoors and away from windows.
•Keep an open line of communication with relatives
that are not affected to keep them posted.
•Ensure that members of the family will remain calm
by keeping them informed of the latest
developments.
TYPHOON: REHABILITATION (WHAT TO DO
AFTER)
•Help in attending to victims immediately. Fro minor cuts and
wounds apply first aid.
•In case of major cuts and wounds, seek necessary medical
assistance at disaster station or hospital.
•Help in checking the house for damages and losses. Note
damages that require immediate repair, e.g. electrical
connections and water supply.
•Coordinate with barangay officials and LGU’s for
assistance.
THUNDERSTORM: PREPAREDNESS (WHAT TO
DO BEFORE)
•Develop a Family Preparedness Plan.
•In case of severe thunderstorm:
•Learn more about your area’s severe risk.
•Discuss how you would know if a thunderstorm may produce
a tornado.
•Discuss how to be warned of an approaching thunderstorm.
•Recommend trimming and removal of dead or rotting trees
that could fall and may cause damage or injury.
THUNDERSTORM: PREPAREDNESS (WHAT TO
DO BEFORE)
•In case of severe thunderstorm:
•Secure outdoor objects that could be blown away and cause
damage.
•Secure house doors and windows both from the inside and
outside.
•Learn how to estimate the distance of the thunderclouds by
computing the difference in time (second) between seeing the
flash of lightning and hearing the claps of thunder (1 second
= 1000 ft.).
THUNDERSTORM : RESPONSE (WHAT TO DO
DURING)
•Learn to do the lightning safety position and stay
away from structures, trees, towers, fences,
telephone lines, or power lines if out in the open.
•Carefully watch out from falling debris and flash
floods.
•Stay calm throughout the occurrence of
thunderstorm.
THUNDERSTORM : RESPONSE (WHAT TO DO
DURING)
•Postpone all outdoor activities.
•Avoid plumbing and bathroom fixtures that are
good conductors of electricity.
•Unplug or turn off all appliances and other
electrical items such as computers. Electric power
surges and storm lightning can cause serious
damage to these appliances.
THUNDERSTORM : RESPONSE (WHAT TO DO
DURING)
•Turn off the air conditioner and television, and stay
off the phone until the storm is over. Use battery
operated radio for gaining information.
•Choose and move to a safe place in your house
where members of the family can gather together.
This should be a place with no windows, skylights, or
glass doors, which could be broken by strong winds.
LIGHTNING
SAFETY
POSITION
TORNADO: PREPAREDNESS (WHAT TO DO
BEFORE)
•Develop a preparedness plan for the whole family.
•Have periodic drills with the members of the family.
•Inspect pre-designated areas to ensure the best protection.
•Keep an open line communication with other members of the
family.
•Listen to radio and television for information.
•Store flashlights and back-up batteries to receive warning
responses.
TORNADO: RESPONSE (WHAT TO DO DURING)
•Move to a pre-designated area or an interior
room on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy
piece of furniture.
•Stay away from windows.
•Lie flat in a depression if caught outside your
house/school or any building.
TORNADO: REHABILITATION (WHAT TO DO
AFTER)
•Attend to survivors immediately.
•Check the house for damages and losses after
assessing the structures integrity.
•Coordinate with proper authorities for assistance.
FLOOD AND FLASH FLOOD: PREPAREDNESS
(WHAT TO DO BEFORE)
•Monitor your surroundings.
•Monitor NOAA Weather Radio, local television and radio
stations, or go to www.weather.gov.
•If a flash flood warning is issued for your area: Climb to
safety immediately.
•Flash floods develop quickly. Do not wait until you see rising water.
•Get out of low areas subject to flooding.
•If driving, do not drive through flooded roadways!
FLOOD AND FLASH FLOOD: PREPAREDNESS
(WHAT TO DO BEFORE)
•Assemble disaster supplies:
•Drinking water – Fill clean containers.
•Food that requires no refrigeration or cooking.
•Cash.
•Medications and first aid supplies.
•Clothing, toiletries.
•Battery-powered radio.
•Flashlights.
•Extra batteries.
•Important documents: insurance papers, medical records, bank account numbers.
FLOOD AND FLASH FLOOD: PREPAREDNESS
(WHAT TO DO BEFORE)
Be prepared to evacuate.
•Identify places to go.
•Identify alternative travel routes that are not prone to
flooding.
•Plan what to do with your pets.
•Fill your car’s gas tank.
•If told to leave, do so quickly.
FLOOD AND FLASH FLOOD: PREPAREDNESS
(WHAT TO DO BEFORE)
Review your Family Disaster Plan.
•Discuss flood plans with your family.
•Decide where you will meet if separated.
•Designate a contact person who can be reached
if family members get separated. Make sure
every family member has the contact information.
FLOOD AND FLASH FLOOD: PREPAREDNESS
(WHAT TO DO BEFORE)
Protect your property.
•Move valuables and furniture to higher levels.
•Move hazardous materials (such as paint, oil, pesticides, and cleaning
supplies) to higher locations.
•Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch them if you are wet or
standing in water.
•Bring outside possessions indoors or tie them down securely. This
includes lawn furniture, garbage cans, and other movable objects.
•Seal vents to basements to prevent flooding.
 FLOOD AND FLASH FLOOD: RESPONSE (WHAT
TO DO DURING)
•Don’t drive unless you have to.
•If you must drive, travel with care.
•Make sure your vehicle has enough fuel.
•Follow recommended routes. DO NOT sightsee.
•Avoid disaster areas. Your presence might hamper rescue or other emergency
operations and put you at further risk.
•Watch for washed out roads, earth slides, and downed trees or power lines.
•Be especially cautious at night, when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
•If the vehicle stalls, abandon it.
•If water rises around your car, leave the vehicle immediately. Climb to higher
ground as quickly as possible.
FLOOD AND FLASH FLOOD: RESPONSE (WHAT
TO DO DURING)
•NEVER drive through flooded roadways. STOP! Turn Around Don’t Drown.
•Get to high ground – Climb to safety!
•Evacuate immediately, if you think you are at risk or are advised to do
so!
•Never try to walk or swim through flowing water.
•If flowing water is above your ankles, STOP! Turn around and go another
way.
•If it is moving swiftly, water 6 inches deep can knock you off your feet.
FLOOD AND FLASH FLOOD: RESPONSE (WHAT
TO DO DURING)
•Shut off the electricity at the circuit breakers.
•If someone falls in or is trapped in flood water:
•Do not go after the victim!
•Use a floatation device. If possible throw the victim
something to help them float, such as a spare tire, large
ball, or foam ice chest.
•Call for assistance and give the correct location
information.
FLOOD AND FLASH FLOOD: REHABILITATION
(WHAT TO DO AFTER)
•If a building was flooded, check for safety before entering.
•Use extreme caution when entering buildings.
•Take pictures of the damage, both of the building and its
contents, for insurance claims.
•Get professional help.
•Your home is no longer a safe place.
•When making repairs, protect your property from future flood
damage.
STORM SURGE: PREPAREDNESS (WHAT TO DO
BEFORE)
•Check your house and land for any potential dangers related to flooding.
Identify any vulnerability and repair it.
•Sandbags are a valuable tool to prevent water from entering your home. This
approach requires specific instructions from your local emergency officials.
•Learn how to turn off the gas and electricity in your house. You may be
instructed by local authorities to shut these off.
•If you live in an area that is subject to flooding, do not store your important
documents in the basement. Keep them at a higher level, protected from flood
damage.
•Ensure that your family has an emergency kit and plan.
•Ensure your emergency kit is portable, in a back-pack or suitcase with wheels.
STORM SURGE: PREPAREDNESS (WHAT TO DO
BEFORE)
If a storm surge is forecast
•Check supplies including medications, radio, flashlight
and batteries.
•You may have to evacuate. Keep your emergency kit
close at hand.
•Make sure the basement windows are closed.
•Fuel your car. If evacuation becomes necessary, it will be
hard to stop for gas.
STORM SURGE: RESPONSE (WHAT TO DO
DURING)
•Stay inside where you are protected from the water. It's best to
be on the downwind side of the house, away from windows.
•Monitor the storm's progress and listen for warnings or
instructions from local officials.
•Before driving anywhere, listen carefully to rescue officials who
will be coordinating evacuation plans.
•Do not drive through flood waters.
•Be aware of risks such as hypothermia from cold water or
drowning from running water.
STORM SURGE: REHABILITATION (WHAT TO
DO AFTER)
•Do not eat fresh food that came in contact with flood waters.
•Drinking water should be submitted to proper authorities for
testing.
•Check damage of the house to ensure that there is no
danger of collapse.
•Check house for electrical damages. Make sure it is all fixed
before switching it on.
•Help clean all mud and debris immediately.
ACTIVITY AND OUTPUT!
1. What is Project NOAH?
2. What are the different components of this
project? Describe the function and purpose of
every component.
Note: Write your answer in a MS Word, long size,
and submit it to your respective Google Drive.