When I heard hard rain falling on my roof a couple of hours ago, I immediately checked for weather announcements at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) website. This is something I always do during typhoon season. Yes, a typhoon is inbound.
PAGASA Warnings
When there are no storms affecting the Philippines, the news on the PAGASA website will simply state there are no storms within the Philippine area of responsibility. When any storm enters the area, the news changes and gets updated at least twice a day. I checked the PAGASA website last night and it was the standard "no warnings" news. The news I read a couple of hours ago must be as fresh as it can be.
A tropical storm, headed to the Philippines, intensified into what is now being called Typhoon Basyang (the first typhoon of the season). At 4 pm today, Philippines time, the center of the storm was east of Central Luzon with an estimated track that goes through my neck of the woods. By tomorrow night, it should be just west of my location. As with all forecasts, it could end up being wrong. Regardless, we're now getting the rain from the storm.
The PAGASA warnings, on the website, read as follows:
Residents living in low lying and near mountain slopes under signals # 3,2 and 1 are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures against flashfloods and landslides.
Those living along the coast in areas under signal # 2 and 3 are advised to be on alert against big waves generated by the typhoon.
The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 11 PM today.
By the way, the province I'm in is already at signal #1 (30-60 kph winds). It will likely reach signal #3 ((100-185 kph winds) by sometime tomorrow.
Preparing for the Storm
Although it's merely a signal #1 condition right now, you'd think that people would pay attention and start getting prepared to weather the storm. While I'm sure there are a few doing so, I see a lot of people running around as if it's just another day in paradise.
I really wish people would take precautions. Someone always dies as a result of a typhoon, without fail. A few minutes ago, I spotted some neighborhood kids taking showers in the rain. Perhaps they're being allowed to do it because the rain and wind isn't bad… yet.
The unfortunate fact is that Filipinos, like people everywhere else, tend to wait until the last minute to make sure supplies are on hand, windows are closed, etc. How soon they forget typhoons like Typhoon Ondoy, responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people. I shudder at the thought of the body count I'll read and hear about after this typhoon has left the area.
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This article is published as: Preparing for Intense Storms like Typhoons
I hope that your worries go unfounded this time.
MrCorey recently posted..Working on the Email – fixed
The storm has passed. The only news about deaths is that 4 people were killed when lightning hit their shanty.
I remember Hurricane Hugo. We had lots of warnings, but because we had been fortunate enough not to suffer a hurricane of consequence since Gracie in 59, most people ignored the warnings.
Time when we could have used to gather supplies. It was rough. I pray the storm moves away and spares you.
It did.
Stay safe RT, this might be a rough season. And we back in the states have this oil mess to add to it. The last thing we need is to move this oil around.
We don't have typhoons where I live, but we do get our share of a variety of weather. In addition to being amazed at the people who wait to the last minute to get supplies and what not, I'm also surprised at the way some people horde everything they can get their hands on. I mean, get what you need, but leave something for everybody else.
Mark recently posted..Mary Jane Black Platform Adult Shoes
In our place we experience great typhoons and floods many people suffer and many properties had been destroyed due to typhoons. For now, we are so much prepared for the upcoming typhoons for this year.
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