HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL

HAZARDS
Module 7
CONTEXTUAL INTRODUCTION
CONTEXTUAL INTRODUCTION
HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL
HAZARDS
Module 7
 HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL
HAZARDS
DEFINITION

Dangers associated with the

natural process or phenomena
involved in the transfer of water
and energy between land surface
and lower atmosphere.
HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL
HAZARDS
Module 7
 TYPES

TYPHOONS STORM SURGES

01 05
THUNDERSTORMS TORNADOES
02 06
OUTLINE

FLASH FLOODS EL NIÑO

03 07
FLOODS LA NIÑA

04 08
 TYPHOONS
DEFINITION

Called “Bagyo” in the

Philippines, they are intense
winds circling with heavy rains
over tropical waters and land.
CONTEXTUAL EXPLANATION
CONTEXTUAL EXPLANATION
TROPICAL DEPRESSION
35 – 61 kph

11
TROPICAL STORM
62 – 88 kph

12
SEVERE TROPICAL STORM
89 – 117 kph

13
TYPHOON
118 – 220 kph

14
SUPER TYPHOON
Exceeding 220 kph

15
CONTEXTUAL EXPLANATION
 WINDS: 30-60 kph may be expected in at
least 36 hr
SEA CONDITIONS (Open Sea)
Wave Height: 1.25-4.0 meters
PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNALS

DAMAGE TO STRUCTURE:
• Very light or no damage to high risk
structures,
• Light to medium and low risk structures
• Slight damage to some houses of very
light materials or makeshift structures in
exposed communities.

DAMAGE TO VEGETATION:
• Some banana plants are tilted, a few
downed and leaves are generally
damaged
• Twigs of small trees may be broken.
• Rice crops, however, may suffer
significant damage when it is in its
flowering stage.
SIGNAL NO. 1
 WINDS: 61-120 kph may be expected in at
least 24 hr
SEA CONDITIONS (Open Sea)
Wave Height:4.1-14.0 m
Storm surge possible at coastal areas.
PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNALS

DAMAGE TO STRUCTURE:
• Unshielded, old dilapidated
schoolhouses, makeshift shanties, and
other structures of light materials are
partially damaged or unroofed.
• Some old galvanized iron (G.I.) roofs
may be peeled or blown off.
• Some wooden, old electric posts are
tilted or downed.

DAMAGE TO VEGETATION:
• Most banana plants, a few mango trees,
ipil-ipiland similar trees are downed or
broken.
• Some coconut trees may be tilted with
few others broken.
• Rice and corn may be adversely affected.
SIGNAL NO. 2
 WINDS: 121-170 kph may be expected in at
least 18 hr
SEA CONDITIONS (Open Sea)
Wave Height: > 14.0 meters
Storm surge possible at coastal.
PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNALS

DAMAGE TO STRUCTURE:
• Houses of medium strength materials
(old, timber or mixed timber-CHB
structures, usually with G.I. roofings),
some warehouses or bodega-type
structures are unroofed

DAMAGE TO VEGETATION:
• Almost all banana plants are downed,
some big trees (acacia, mango, etc.) are
broken or uprooted,
• Dwarf-type or hybrid coconut trees are
tilted or downed
• Considerable damage to shrubbery and
trees with heavy foliage blown off; some
large trees blown down.
SIGNAL NO. 3
 WINDS: 171-220 kph may be expected in at
least 12 hr
SEA CONDITIONS (Open Sea)
Wave Height: more than 14.0 meters
Storm surge 2-3m possible at coastal areas.
PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNALS

DAMAGE TO STRUCTURE:
• Many houses of medium-built materials
are unroofed, some with collapsed walls;
extensive damage to doors and windows
• A few houses of first-class materials are
partially damaged
• All signs/billboards are blown down.

DAMAGE TO VEGETATION:
• There is almost total damage to banana
plantation,
• Coconut plantation may suffer extensive
damage.
• Rice and corn plantation may suffer
severe losses.
SIGNAL NO. 4
 WINDS: > 220 kph may be expected in at
least 12 hr
A Super Typhoon will affect the locality.
SEA CONDITIONS (Open Sea)
Wave Height: more than 14.0 m
Storm surge more than 3 meters possible at
coastal areas
PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNALS

DAMAGE TO STRUCTURE:
• Widespread damage to high-risk
structures
• Complete roof failure on many
residences and industrial buildings.
• Most residential and institutional
buildings of mixed construction may be
severely damaged.
• Electrical power distribution and
communication services severely
disrupted.

DAMAGE TO VEGETATION:
• Most tall trees are broken, uprooted or
defoliated;
• Coconut trees are stooped, broken or
uprooted.
SIGNAL NO. 5
DEFINITION

THUNDERSTORMS
A storm characterized by
heavy rain with the presence of
thunder and lightning.
CONTEXTUAL EXPLANATION
HAZARDS

HEAVY RAINFALL LIGHTNING AIR TURBULENCE FIRE

That can lead to That can electrocute Which can displace That can burn
flooding humans and damage or disorient a flying buildings and
facilities aircraft vegetation
 FLOOD
DEFINITION

The presence of excessive

water on a supposedly dry land
which is caused by continuous
heavy rain or poor drainage.
 Crowding of structures and poor draining may lead to problems such as:

• Disruption of commercial and industrial operations leading to loss

of income
• Stand-still traffic causing paralysis in network transportation and
communication
PROBLEMS

• Displacement of affected homes and families

• Damaged properties resulting from corrosion and water intrusion
• Waterborne diseases such as leptospirosis and typhoid fever
 FLASHFLOOD
DEFINITION

A rapid flow if water on

saturated soil or dry soil or any
foundation that has poor
absorption capability.
DEFINITION

STORM SURGE
Is an abnormal rise in coastal
waters due to a massive force
from the sea or from the air
above the sea.
DEFINITION

TORNADOES
A rapidly rotating column of
air that is in contact with the air
and land.
 An average of 12-24
tornadoes hit the country
every year, mostly
PROBLEM

occurring in flat terrains

such as Mindanao and
Central Luzon, especially
Nueva Vizcaya.
CONTEXTUAL EXPLANATION
 TEMPERATURE CHANGES IN GLOBAL CLIMATE SYSTEMS
DEFINITION

EL NIÑO LA NIÑA
CONTEXTUAL EXPLANATION

Large-scale warming of the ocean and atmosphere across the central and
east-central Equatorial Pacific
CONTEXTUAL EXPLANATION

The sea surface temperatures during this period become lower by 3-5
degrees Celsius.
TOOLS FOR MEASUREMENT

DOPPLER RADAR
Used to measure important weather parameters
such as amount of rainfall and direction, speed,
and intensity of winds. These data are used to
forecast weather conditions and upcoming
typhoon weeks before the occurrence.
 AUTOMATED
TOOLS FOR MEASUREMENT

RAIN GAUGE
Usually installed in telecommunication cell sites
to observe and locate area with excessive amounts
of rainfall. This is used to detect for possible
flooding and flash floods.
 SIGNS OF IMPEDING HAZARDS

CLOUDS
 APPROPRIATE MEASURES BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL HAZARDS

BEFORE 1. Store enough food, drinking water, and medicine. Foods that require little
or no preparation and do not easily spoil are ideal.
2. Have a working flashlight, spare batteries, candles, and matches ready.
Electric power may be cut off by the hazard or by the authorities as a
safety precaution.
3. Meet with all members of your family and make plans for evacuation to a
higher or safer ground especially if you live in a low-lying area or near a
coast, river, or creek.
4. Transfer valuables, appliances, and furniture to a higher ground especially
if your place is flood-prone.
5. Participate in cleanup activities to clear waterways such as canals, ditches,
creeks, streams, and rivers of wastes or garbage.
6. Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that may fall and can be carried
away by water current.
 APPROPRIATE MEASURES BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL HAZARDS

DURING 1. If there is no advice to evacuate, stay indoors. Keep calm and do not go to
isolated or open areas.
2. Listen to weather updates by PAGASA and advisories by the NDRRMC. If
the electricity is out, use battery-powered radios.
3. If you see any signs of water rising, unplug any electrical equipment and
switch off the main circuit breaker or fuse box.
4. Move to a safer ground or evacuate as advised by local authorities. Wear
protective clothing as you move to the evacuation site.
5. Bring basic necessities such as food, drinking water, extra clothes, and
medicines to the evacuation site.
6. Beware of open electrical cables that can electrocute when these come in
contact with water. Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage.
7. Do not go near windows and doors.
 APPROPRIATE MEASURES BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL HAZARDS

1. Wait for any announcements from local authorities as to whether it is safe

to return home or not. Listen to weather updates or advisories from local
AFTER
authorities. Get information on which areas are still not passable or
accessible and avoid going to these places until cleared of any
obstructions.
2. Report fallen power lines or cracked roads to local authorities.
3. Check your house for any damage and do needed repairs immediately. If
your house is heavily damaged, leave the area immediately. Do not go
back until it has been examined and declared safe by a professional
engineer or architect.
4. Watch out for live wires or any electrical outlet immersed in water. Have a
licensed electrician or a knowledgeable person inspect electrical
connections and appliances before you use them.
5. Boil water before drinking as it may be contaminated.
HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL
HAZARDS
Module 7