How To Survive Hurricane Gustav and A Typhoon in The Philippines
Hurricane Gustav, a category 3 storm that had already damaged the Caribbean and killed 94 people in its path, is expected to land at New Orleans today.
With the devastating effects of Katrina and Rita in 2005, there is no other choice this time. Even for a nation as advanced as the USA, evacuating 2 million people is necessary. The people on the path of Hurricane Gustav should immediately evacuate or risk their lives. Strong winds at 115mph and increasing, heavy storms and flooding, zero-electricity; these are all expected in this kind of situation.
If a hurricane like this hits the Philippines, evacuation would not as easy as we think of.
We’ve already heard of sad tales, ship sunken, flooded roads and communities washed out. The usual thing to do is to brace for the coming typhoon. This list might be of help in order to survive a typhoon in the Philippines:
1. Constantly monitor the news. A transistor radio (battery operated) is the best friend of those in the country-side. Always check local advisories.
2. Store gasoline or kerosene, LPG or dried wood. Electricity would surely be out for days.
3. Store food. Canned goods and ready-to-eat, if necessary.
4. Store Water. No electricity, no water.
5. Store medicines, at least for two weeks.
6. Secure valuable documents in water-proof containers if necessary.
7. Bring enough cash.
8. Secure your home. Lock it. Brace it. Cover the doors and windows with boards. Reinforce the roof as it is usually the first to be flown away.
9. Avoid trees and electricity posts.
10. Ready your emergency kit. This includes flashlights, batteries and other supplies.
11. Transfer to structures/building with a more solid foundation. It could be your neighbors’ house or the evacuation center identified by community leaders. An ordinary nipa house, or a shanty can’t survive strong typhoons.
12. Avoid flood-prone areas, most especially seaside and or riverside areas.
13. Turn off electricity.
If you have money, flight south. Most of Mindanao will not be hit by typhoons. Again, it goes back to evacuation.
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Ceblogger is a CPA trapped in his cubicle while his mind wanders outside watching the world, and exploring possibilities his mind conceived.
September 1st, 2008 at 8:34 am
We’re lucky enough we dont have hurricanes but a much weaker typhoon. I couldnt imagine how hard life would be.
September 1st, 2008 at 9:22 am
When I was in elementary school, I remembered my teacher telling us to open windows during typhoons with strong winds. Doing so, winds could just pass by you house.
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:33 am
I agree with Brother Bloggista. That’s why i prefer to live here rather than in the US. Katakot kasi ang mga calamities dun.
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:38 am
nature strikes back. I guess these kind of calamities are happening all over the world.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:30 am
“nature strikes back. I guess these kind of calamities are happening all over the world.” sana hindi masyado kung tatama sa pinas
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:04 am
Hmmm I donno know anything abt. it but you took my internet name(typhoon) in this topic that’s why i m commenting..
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Hahaha, nice Typhoon.
Best comment I ever saw lately. Hehe. Do drop by my blog (and join my Contest. hehe) Plugging ako!
Teka, hirap ako sa math addition Von!
September 4th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
As a filipino living in Baton Rouge (80 miles from New Orleans), I can say that the hurricanes here are just as strong as typhoons in the Philippines… yes…. even wikipedia says typhoons are actually more frequent and are stronger. Witnessing Katrina, Rita and now Gustav, I see the damage similar to what I saw during Typhoon Rosing back in the 90s. THe only thing I admire with the Philippines is that life goes on, almost right away. Stores remain open, people clean the damage by themselves.Here, people rely on the government to give away MRE, provide shelter, hospitals, etc. I initially thought that they will fix power lines much faster in Louisiana than in the US but it seems that nothing is different. Our power will take 4-6 weeks to be restored…. haaay, tagal!
September 5th, 2008 at 3:13 am
Typhoon, welcome to this part of the planet! we don’t normally welcome typhoons here! haha.
bloggista, kaw pa sa math plug-in! Gusto ko sana square roots, and difficult problems. Pero baka pati ako di maka comment. haha. Boot spammers lang di marunong sumagot ng 1+1.
Jerome, I hope you are all fine in that part of the world. We filipinos learn to cope with these calamities, even with minimal help from the government. Sanay na.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
We finally have power restored in my place, as well as in 40% of the city. ALso learned na masarap pala ang MRE (meals ready to eat) -pagkain ng mga sundalo at pagkain for emergencies. Things are slowly getting back to normal (after 5 days) but lines to get gasoline still takes almost an hour. ANother hurricane is possibly coming to our area, Hurricane Ike, but I hope it will not be heading here. Pray for us here na sana hindi nga dito darating ang bagyo.
September 6th, 2008 at 2:46 am
we’ll pray for your safety there, jerome! God bless you!