The Philippines experiences frequent visits from numerous typhoons each year, a consequence of its geographical location within the Pacific Ring of Fire. These typhoons often result in significant damage to the livelihoods, agriculture, and infrastructure of the Philippine archipelago.
Filipinos become resilient in any trials we face whether it's personal problems or a natural calamity. We Filipinos learned how to cope with these typhoons. From having a concrete house and better evacuation sites that house people who are severely affected by typhoons.
There is no secret to this resiliency because everything is all about preparation. Being prepared before the storm happens is a critical measure to take. Without proper preparation, you will be surprised when the storm comes in.Â
While the government improves over the years, it remains crucial for us to take personal responsibility and prepare for potential calamities.
What preparations should you make in anticipation of approaching typhoons in your town?
1. Repair your House -Â The first thing to do is to secure your home. This is more important if you are facing a super typhoon. To Secure means not to purchase a padlock or chain but to make sure that your window, roof, and door can hold the strong rain and wind brought by the storm. It is all about checking the integrity of your entire house.
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If you need to perform a repair better do it before the typhoon arrives. This will make sure that your house can withstand the strong wind and rain and will keep you safe inside until the storm passed.
Typhoons are getting stronger every year. According to scientists, this is due to climate change. So it is much better if we have a stable house that can withstand the wrath of typhoons. In the event that you are residing near riverbanks or coastal areas who has a tendency for water to rise.  If the local government disaster office advises evacuating it is important to put your safety as the main priority rather than your personal property.
2. Food and Water - The second thing to do is to prepare ready-to-eat food. Food that requires little amount of time to cook. And don't forget to stock drinkable water because you can survive several days without food but without drinkable water no it's not possible.
During a typhoon, you will never know if you can do proper cooking due to several reasons such as no electricity so if you are using an induction cooker or electric stove good luck with that chances are you cannot cook regular food. So better to have ready-to-eat food or food that can be easily cooked by just pouring hot water and don't forget to include coffee to make yourself warm during the typhoon.
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3. Electronic Device - Our electronic devices such as mobile phones are important during typhoons because without these we cannot inform our relatives with regards to our status. And it is most important that we have emergency power like Powerbanks,Â
Emergency lights and flashlights are also important during the night in the event that the powerline was cut off resulting in a brownout.
A solar device will help you after the storm because here in the Philippines if a strong typhoon hits your town there is a strong possibility that you will have no electricity for days or even longer. This is due to the electricity line that has been taken down by strong winds so the electric cooperative will have no choice but to shut off temporarily the electricity. By the way, the electric cooperative is the one responsible for managing the distribution of electricity in provinces or rural areas in the Philippines.Â
It is better to make sure that all your devices are fully charged before the typhoon arrives this will help you to prolong the use of your electronic devices such as mobile phones.
4. Be informed - Knowing when and where the typhoon will landfall and how strong it is important to prepare properly. Government agencies like PAGASA or Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration give frequent information by releasing severe weather bulletins update about typhoons. This information is critical during this time because it will definitely save you.Â
It is important to know what are emergency numbers to call in the event that you need help. The local Government Unit will announce them on their website, on social media, and even on the radio so it is better to write them on paper and post them in easy-to-see areas.Â
When it comes to evacuation areas it is also important to know where are the designated evacuation sites in your place. Because time will come that your house is no longer safe to stay with especially if you are residing in dangerous areas like coastal lines and river banks. Here in the Philippines, most evacuations sites are schools or covered courts that will provide a strong shelter during the typhoon.
During typhoons make sure that you prioritize your own safety and avoid going out of your house because you might be hit by debris that may result in an injury or sometimes death. There are several dangers that might be encountered during typhoons like being hit by flying debris like roofs, branches of trees, or even the whole tree uprooted. Electrocution by electrical wires that have been torn by strong winds.
As a resident of the Philippines who experienced a lot of devastating typhoons. The list I mentioned in this post is some of the basic things to prepare before the storm hits your area. You can add some things that you might think important to add to your arsenal.
In our next article, we will discuss what to do after the typhoon hit your area. We will be discussing the necessary steps needed to help you navigate after the storm.Â