Signs of an Impending Typhoon or

Hurricane
Every typhoon /hurricane is different and there are many factors thst 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 (wind speed 96-110mph)approaching a coastal
area(Herald Tribune ,2011)
96 hours before landfall
At first there aren't any apparent signs of a storm. The barometer is steady winds are light and
variable and fair weather cumulus clouds appear.
72hours before landfall
Little has changes except that the swell on the ocean surface has increased to about six feet and
the waves come in every nine seconds. This means that the storm far over the horizon, is
approaching.
48 hours before landfall
The sky is now clear of clouds the barometer is steady ,and the wind is almost calm.The swell
is now about nine feet and coming in every eight seconds.
36 hours before landfall
The first signs of the storm appear.The barometer is failing slightly ,the wind is around
11mph,and the ocean swell is about 13 feet and coming in seven seconds apart.On the horizon,a
large mass of white cirrus clouds appear.As the veil of clouds approaches,it covers more of the
horizon.A hurricane watch is issued ,and areas with long evacuation times are given the order to
begin
30 hours before landfall:
The sky is covered by a high overcast. The barometer is falling at .1 milibar per hour,winds pick
up to about 23mph.The ocean swell coming in five seconds apart ,is beginning to be obscured by
wind-driven waves,and small whitecaps begin to appear on the ocean surface.

24 hours before landfall:

Small low clouds appear overhead.The barometer is falling by .2 milibar per hour,the wind picks
up to 34 mph.The wind driven waves are covered in whitecaps,and 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 in mobile homes and ordered to evacuate

18 hours before landfall

The low clouds are thicker and bring driving rain squalls with gustly winds.The barometer is
steadily falling at half a milibar per hour and the winds are whistling by at 46 mph.It is hard to stand
against the wind.

12 hours before landfall

The rain squalls are more frequent and the winds don’t diminish after they depart.the cloud
ceiling is getting lower,and the barometer is falling at 1 milibar per hour.The wind is howling at
hurricane force at 74 mph.The seconds advances with every storm wave that crashes,and foam
patches.

6 hours before landfall

The rain is constant and the 92 mph wind drives it horizontally.The barometer is falling 1.5
milibar per hour ,and the storm surge has advanced above the high tide mark.The surface a whitish
mass of sprasy.It is impossible to stand upright outside without bracing yourself
1 hour before landfall
The rain becomes heavier. Low areas inland become floooded.The winds are at 104 mph,and the
barometer is falling at 2milibar per hour. The sea is white with foam and streaks.The storm surge has
covered coastal roads and 16 foot crash into buildings near the shore.

Landfall-The eye of the Storm

Just as the storm reaches its peak,the winds begin to slacken,and the sky starts to brighten.The rain
end abruptly,and the clouds break and blue sky is seen.The barometer continues falling at 3 milibar
per hour and the storm surge reaches the furthest island.The winds fall to near calm,but the air is
uncomfortbaly warm and humid.Huge walls of cloud appear on every side ,brilliant white in the
sunlight.At this point,the barometer stops falling and in a moment begins to rise,soon as fast as it
fell.The winds begin to pick up slightly and the clouds on the far side of the eye wall loom overhead.

Tools in Tracking the Storm

Satellite- is the most advanced technology used in monitoring a cyclone or typhoon.It can vizualize
exactly in real time the formation and the path of cyclone.

Doppler RADAR
RADAR is an acronym for Radio Detection and Ranging.Since 1939,radar technology has been for
purpose ranging from warfare to weather predictions to catching speederds on the highways.Radar
detection devices emit nad receive radio waves to determine the distance from the source to the
object by measuring the time if it takes for the echo of the wave to return.Specificallyy ,weather
ratger measure the direction and the speed of moving objects ,such as precipatation and has the
capacity to measure the velocity of the particles I ordr to determine the rate of which the particls
are falling.
Weather radar is a certian type of radar known as Doopler
radar,named because of the Doppler effect which
recognizes that the frequency shift of wave bounced off of
an object is related to the objects velocity towards or
away from the observer (the common example of this
effect is the change in pitch of a train whistle as it moves
past an observer).
Preparedness and Mitigation
The following preparedness and mitigation strategies are adopted from the
Department of Educations Risk Reduction Resource Manual issued on 2008:

A.Typhoon
Preparedness( What to do before):
• Establish and maintain coordination with Barangay Disaster Coordinating
Councils (BDCC)and personnel
• Ensure that house can whistand heavy rain and strong winds .House built at
ground level may be anchored by guy wires to strengthen the stability of the
structure.
• 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 schools disaster response-drill or simulation
 Response(What to do during )
• Monitor through radio or 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 or relatives that are proven stabel and can withstand strong wind
and rain
• 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
Rehabilitation(What to do after)
• Help in attending to victims immediately .For minor cuts and wounds apply fist aid.
• In case of major cut 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.
• Coordinate with the Barangay officials and LGU`s for assistance.
 Thunderstorm
Preparedness(What to do before)
Develop a Family Preparedness Plan
In case of severe thunderstorm-specific planning should include the
following:
• Learn more about your areas severe thunderstorm 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
• Secure outdoor objects that could be blown away and cause damaged
• Secure house doors and windows both from the inside and outside
• Learn how to estimate the distance of the thunderclouds computing
the difference in time(second)between seeing the flash of lightning and
hearing the claps of thunder(1 second =1000ft).
 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
• Carefully watch out for falling debris and flashfloods
• Stay calm through out the occurrence of thunderstorm
• Postpone all outdoor activities
• Avoid plumbing and bathroom fixtures that are good conductors 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.
• Turn off the air conditioner and television, and stay off the phone until the
storm is over. Use a battery operated for gaining information.
• Choose and move to a safe place in your house where members of the
family can gather together during thunderstorm preferably on the lowest
floor of your house .The y should be placed where there are no windows,
skylights or glass doors, which could be broken by strong winds or hail,
causing damge or injury.
 Lightning Safety Position
• Lightning safety experts have invented a
lightning safety position that is very important
to know if you are caught in a thunderstorm
and you can’t find a shelter.
 c. Tornado
Preparedness (what to do before)
1. Develop a preparedness plan for the whole family
2. Have a periodic drills with the family
3. Inspect pre designated areas to ensure the best
protection
4. Keep an open line communication with the
members of family
5. Listen to radio and television for information
6. Store flashlight and backup batteries to receive
warning response.
• Response (What to do during)
1. Move to a pre designated area or an interior
room on the lowest floor
2. Stay away from windows
3. Lie at flat in a depression if caught outside your
house or any building
Rehabilitation (What to do after)
4. Attend to survivors immediately
5. Check the house for damages and losses
6. Coordinate with proper authorities for assistance
 Floods and flashfloods
• What to do before:
1. Find out the frequency of occurrence of floods in the
locality
2. Know the flood warning system in your locality
3. Research on how fast the floods occur from the
previous occurrence
4. If it is steadily raining hard for several hours, be alert to
the possibility of flood
5. Watch out for rapidly rising water and help family for
evacuation
6. Switch off the electric and look the rooms after all have
gone out
7. Have a handy survival kit
8. Use radio , battery powered radio for update
information.
Response (what to do during)
1. Stay calm and keep updated with the situation
2. Listen continuously to a radio for emergency info
3. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams
4. Avoid areas prone to flashfloods
5. Do not go swimming or boating in swollen rivers
6. Watch out for snakes in flooded areas
7. Eat only well cooked food and drink only clean or
preferably boiled water
Rehabilitation (what to do after)
1. Report broken utility lines immediately to
authorities
2. Avoid affected areas
3. Ensure that electrical appliances are checked by
component
4. Stay away from any building that is still flooded
5. Continue to listen to a radio or local television and
return home when it is safe to do so
 Storm Surge
• Preparedness ( What to do before)
1. Know the storm surge risk zones and identify safer
grounds for relocation
2. Stay off the beach when weather disturbance
exists
3. Ensure that everyone is familiar with the identified
escape routes
4. Help establish evacuation plans and procedures
5. Participate to the regular conduct of drills and
exercises
Response (what to do during)
1. Immediately move to higher grounds upon
detection of signs of storm surge
2. Be alert and stay away fro the steep
3. Switch off power supply
4. If caught by a storm surge, take hold a large
boulders or tree hunks which can provide
protection
Rehabilitation ( What to do after)
1. Do not eat fresh food that came in contact with
flood waters
2. Drinking water should be submitted to proper
authorities for testing
3. Check damage of the house to ensure that there is
no danger of collapse
4. Check house for electrical damage and open love
wires
5. Help clean all mud and debris immeditely.