The Philippines had been ravaged by many typhoons in recent years including Yolanda, Ondoy, Milenyo, Sendong, and many others. As of the writing of this article, Typhoon Rolly is about to make landfall in the Philippines. There is an assessment that it can be a Super Typhoon and probably the strongest typhoon of 2020. How do you prepare yourself for a typhoon? Check out our Typhoon Preparedness tips below.
Stay Indoors and Keep Calm. Forget those photos, videos, and selfies under the storm because it is not worth it unless you are part of the media. Stay at home and monitor what is happening on the news. Keep calm whenever you feel that things are really getting intense. Remember that you can make better decisions if you are calm.
Monitor TV and Radio Reports. Always monitor TV, radio, and even reports on social media. When it comes to things like this we suggest that you monitor via Twitter and check on the hashtag for the typhoon. Transistor radio or those powered by batteries are also very helpful in times like these.
Trim trees near your house. Got a tree near your home? Well better cut them a bit, not cut them per se but just trim them. Strong typhoons bring strong winds and this can really damage the tree and your house with it.
Evacuate if necessary. No amount of belonging is important for your safety. Always remember to listen to the advice of local government officials especially when it comes to evacuation. If you are near the shore or within a dangerous area please evacuate immediately and seek out help from your relatives or the local government.
Charge your phones. Charge your phones and power bank to ensure that you are fully powered. When the typhoon is about to enter your area please refrain from draining your battery. Do not play games or watch too many unrelated videos. Remember that the power can be cut off and you might not have enough power remaining.
Have flashlight and radio with fresh batteries. Make sure that your flashlight and transistor radio is ready. You do not want to walk in the dark right?
Stock up on food, water, kerosene, and first aid supplies. Typhoons can last for a while and it is important that you stock up on key essentials. Check your stockpile and go to the nearest grocery or market to replenish them if needed.
Turn off electricity, gas, and water in case of flooding. Prioritize your safety when there is flooding. Remember that water can make electricity and gas dangerous while it can contaminate your water supply. Also, when you know flooding will be dangerous evacuate immediately.
Print or keep emergency numbers handy. Be sure to always have a printed or written copy of emergency numbers. In case of any emergency, you can immediately DIAL 911. This is the best number to dial since it is the official hotline for all emergencies. Check out other emergency numbers below.
- National Emergency Hotline in the Philippines : 911.
- Philippine National Police Hotline: 117 or (02) 8722-0650.
- Philippine Red Cross: 143 or (02) 8527-8385 to 95.
- Bureau of Fire Protection: (02) 8426-0219 or (02) 8426-3812.