Lesson 2:

Hydrometeorological
Hazards and Disasters

Teacher : Marjorie E. Vidal, LPT.

 Hydrometeorological Hazard

Is a process or phenomenon of
atmospheric, hydrological or
oceanographic nature that may cause
loss of life, injury or other health
impacts, property damage, loss of
livelihoods and services.
Potential Hydrometeorological Hazards

1. El Nino
2. La Nina
3. Tropical Cyclone
4. Flood
5. Storm Surge
6. Thunderstorm
7. Tornado
8. Drought
HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL HAZARDS

1. El Nino – no rain (El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

– “the boy-child”

2. La Nina – heavy rainfall

– “girl-child”
Pacific Ocean
Hydrometeorological Hazards
3. Tropical Cyclone – is an intense low pressure
system with a minimum sustained wind velocity of 35
kph.
– Eye – 10 to 100 km in diameter
– Eyewall – precipitation is heaviest and the wind is
strongest
 4. Floods
• Caused of an overflowing of water from lakes, stream and
other bodies of water.
Manmade causes of floods:
1. Increased urbanization and coastal development.
2. Informal settlers
3. Indiscriminate dumping of garbage.
4. Deforestation
5. Failure of levees and dams
6. Blasting
 Types of Floods

• River Flood – caused by the overflowing of rivers

when the run-off exceeds the capacity of the
channel.
• Flash Flood – Caused by a very short period of
unusually heavy rainfall.
• Coastal Flood – when strong onshore winds push the
water inland.
PAGASA’s Color-Coded Warning Signals for
Flooding
Safety Tips
• Before Flooding
1. Know how often your location is likely to be flooded
and to what extent.
2. Be familiar with the flood warning system in your
community and be sure your family knows it.
3. Keep informed of daily weather condition.
4. Designate an evacuation area for the family and
livestock and assign family members specific
instructions and responsibilities according to an
evacuation plan.
Safety Tips
• Before Flooding
5. Keep stock of food which requires little cooking and
refrigeration as electric power may be interrupted.
6. Keep a transistorized radio and flashlight with spare
batteries, emergency cooking equipment, candles,
matches and handy first-aid kit in case of emergency.
7. Securely anchor weak dwellings and items.
When Warned of Flood
1. Be alert to the possibility of flood, if it has been
raining for several days. Flood happens as the
ground becomes saturated.
2. Listen to the radio for emergency instructions.
3. If advised to evacuate, do so. Don’t panic. Move to
a safe area before access is cut off by flood waters.
4. Store drinking water in containers, as water service
may be interrupted.
Safety Tips
• During Flooding
1. Avoid flooded areas.
2. Do not attempt to cross rivers or flowing streams
where water is above the knee.
3. Beware of water-covered roads and bridges.
4. Avoid unnecessary exposure to the elements.
5. Do not go swimming or boating in swollen rivers.
6. Eat only well-cooked food. Protect leftovers against
contamination.
7. Drink clean or preferably boiled water only.
Safety Tips
• After Flooding
1. Re-enter the dwellings with caution using flashlight,
lanterns or torches. There may be flammables inside.
2. Beware of fire hazards like broken electric wires.
3. Do not eat food and drink water until they have been
checked for food and water contamination.
4. Report broken utility lines (electricity, water, gas and
telephone) to appropriate agencies or authorities.
 Safety Tips
• After Flooding
5. Do not turn on the main switch or use appliances and
other equipment until they have been checked by a
competent electrician.
6. Consult health authorities for immunization
requirements.
7. Do not go “ sightseeing” in disaster areas. Your presence
might hamper rescue and other emergency operations.
5. Storm Surge
• It is a sudden rise of sea level above the normal level
on the coast due to a drop in atmospheric pressure
and the force of the wind as a tropical cyclone
approaches the coast.
1. The stronger the tropical cyclone and the shallower the
coast, the higher surge.
2. Usually, the peak storm surge is experienced near the
point of landfall of a typhoon or a storm.
3. The rise in sea level can cause flooding and damages in
low-lying coastal areas and villages, particularly when the
approach of the storm coincides with the occurrence of
high tide.
 Storm Surge is Caused by the following:

1. Wind/pressure effect
2. Rainfall effect
3. Tidal effect
4. Shape of the coastline
and slope of the sea bed
How to Prepare a Storm Surge:
• Preparedness Plan
- Describes procedures for evacuation
– Identify the danger zones and this must be known to
the people
– Formulate land-use management regulations
– Must have periodic drills and exercises
– Construct safety barriers
– Plant sturdy trees along the coasts
– Must have efficient transport system, rescue operation
procedures, relief and rehabilitations plans
6. Thunderstorm
• It is a localize storm cloud that produces lightning
and thunder and often brings heavy rain shower or
hail as well as strong gusty winds.
3 Stages of Thunderstorm
1. Initial or cumulus stage
2. Mature stage
3. Dissipating stage
Hailstones - are ice crystals falling from a
thunderstorm.

Lightning – is a visible electrical discharge

due to high voltage differences that build up
within the clouds, between the clouds and the
ground
Signs of Thunderstorm
1. Towering cumulonimbus clouds
2. Darkening skies
3. Flashes of lightning and gusty wind
4. Sound of thunder
5. Static on your communication equipment
How to Prepare a Thunderstorm?
• Precautionary measures:
1. Stay or go indoors.
2. Stay away from anything that could conduct
electricity.
3. Do not use any plug-in electrical appliances.
4. Do no use the telephone/cellular phone during the
occurrence of thunderstorm.
5. Stay in your automobile if you are travelling.
6. Do not use metal objects outside the house or
building.
How to Prepare a Thunderstorm?
• Precautionary measures:
7. Stay away from bodies of water.
8. If you are outdoors, seek shelter from lightning.
9. If you cannot find shelter, avoid the solitary tree or the
tallest object in the area.
10. Become a very small target.
11. When you feel an electrical charge – if your hair
stands on end or your skin tingles-lightning may be
about to strike you. Drop to the ground immediately.
7. Tornado
• It is a localize windstorm characterized by a visible
funnel-shaped, rapidly whirling cloud extending
downward from the base of a dark cumulonimbus
cloud.
Waterspout – when a tornado occurs or
moves over a body of water.
Precursory Signs of Tornado

• The appearance of a funnel-shaped column

from the base of the cumulonimbus cloud
• Having weather that feels warm, humid,
uncomfortable and calm.
• Lightning and thunder
• Roaring and buzzing sound of the tornado as it
reaches the ground.
What you should do during a tornado?

1. If at work, home or in school keep calm, take cover

in any interior hallway at the lowest place in a
building or under sturdy furniture. Stay away from
windows.
2. Secure outdoors objects.
3. Lie down in any depression or crawl into culverts
when a tornado is about to strike as it is
considerably better that remaining upright.
 What you should do during a tornado?

4. When driving a vehicle, stop, abandon it and seek- shelter

outside at the nearest depression, ditch or ravine (but be
aware of flooding).
5. Tornadoes are generally short-lived. They come and go
quickly. There may not be time for a warning.
6. Be alert for the sudden appearance of violent winds,
rain, hail or funnel-shaped cloud in your locality.
8. Drought
• It is the lack of rainfall for normal needs.

Impacts of Drought:
1. Agricultural crops will not grow without water.
2. Animal will die out of thirst.
3. As a result of the above, there could be famine or food
insecurity.
4. The water supply for domestic and industrial use will be
reduced.
5. There would be less livelihood for people whose jobs are
dependent on water supply.
Impacts of Drought:

6. There would be epidemic and other health

problems due to the rise of micro- organisms,
poor sanitation and hunger.
7. High temperature can trigger wild fire.
How To Prepare for Drought?
1. Build structures that can conserve water such as
dams, dikes and irrigation systems.
2. Issue an early warning to prepare the people,
communities and institutions.
3. Conserve water even prior to the occurrence of the
drought.
4. Adopt indigenous practices in agriculture which
could vary depending on the physical situations
and cultures in communities.
How To Prepare for Drought?
5. Preserve and store food.
6. Desalinate water supply.
7. Change lifestyle to adapt to drought.