After Typhoon Yolanda’s devastation in
November of last year, another super typhoon is threatening our country. News
of this bad weather has driven people into fresh panic. We have become more
wary, and rightly so. Yolanda’s aftermath is still fresh in the minds and
hearts of Filipinos. Some are still grieving their dead and reconstructing
their lives and others are just beginning to get over and put behind them their
horrible experience.
According to PAGASA, Typhoon Ruby
(international name: Hagupit) has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility
(PAR) today (Thursday, December 4), at 4 AM, but it won’t be until Saturday that
it will hit Eastern Visayas.
Yolanda taught a lesson that many of us were not quite willing or ready to pay, simply because the price was just too steep. In the aftermath, there were a lot of “could have beens” and “what ifs.” Now with Ruby, we have become more cautious and vigilant. But the question is, “How ready are we for another super typhoon?"
Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak, during an interview yesterday with Leo Lastimosa on Arangkada, said that while it is commendable to be on one’s guard, we should not panic and incite panic in others. What we can do is prepare. As part of the campaign to educate and help the people, he gave the following advice (in blue font):
Prepare an emergency bag for each family member.
Doing so would expedite evacuation in case there is a need for one. The bag should contain changes of clothes for at least 2-3 days for. Keep each set of clothes in a sealed plastic so they won’t get wet. Also, it would better to include in the bag food items that aren’t big, bulky, and heavy (like biscuits, energy bars, candies, etc.). These little foods will help stretch whatever amount of food that you managed to carry with you.
Prepare an emergency medical kit.
Your kit should include first aid medicines and medicines for common illnesses such as fever and cold.
Prepare food that would at least last 2-3 days.
Ready-to-eat and easy-to-prepare foods, such as canned goods, are better. Don’t forget a can opener. There are nail clippers with an attached small can opener. They are small and handy and would do in a pinch.
If you have a baby, don't forget the baby formula. It should also last for about 2-3 days. Don't forget the baby bottles too.
Secure your important documents.
Place them inside a water-proof container or bag so they won’t get wet.
Charge your mobile phones and other gadgets.
Make sure your devices (mobile phone, tablets, laptops, etc.) are fully charged. If possible, secure extra batteries or power banks. If there is a need for emergency evacuation, you can always bring your devices with you. Yes, even your laptop, if you think its added weight won’t slow you down. But never ever think about taking with you your 42-inch ultra-high definition LED TV. Unless you can inflate it and use it as a shelter where you can safely wait out the typhoon, it’s better left in your house. If you’re worried someone might come and carry it away while you’re off trying to save your life, don’t. Remember, everyone else will also be busy saving their lives. But to ease your mind, lock your house if you need to leave it.
Always listen for updates.
Tune in to your favorite radio or TV network or visit the online sites of weather agencies for updates. Knowing what’s happening will help prepare you for what's about to come.
Buy batteries and flashlights.
Power may have to be cut, so it makes sense to buy batteries and flashlight. If you have a battery-operated radio, buy batteries for it also.
Know beforehand the location of the evacuation centers.
Coordinate with your local/barangay officials. Knowing where the evacuation center is can spell the difference between life and death in certain situations. If an emergency evacuation has been ordered, or when you no longer feel safe in your house, don't dally and head immediately for the nearest designated evacuation center.
Keep your non-human family members safe (also).
Pets can also drown and get hurt. So don’t leave them to fend for themselves. But if it’s not possible for you to bring them, make sure they are in a place where they are as safe as they could be. Don't lock them somewhere they don't have any chance of escaping. Animals are ingenious and their survival instincts will keep them safe if you can't.
Designate a meeting place.
If you must be out of your house or away from your family during a typhoon, designate a meeting place in advance. This way, even if communication gets cut, you know where to look for your family members. This also helps for when you get separated for whatever reason.
We cannot stop typhoons, so instead of just hoping and wishing that it will not "continue," we should prepare. And wishing for it to veer and not hit Cebu or Leyte (or where ever your place is) is just like wishing it to hit other areas instead, which is kind of selfish and mean-spirited. What we can do is be ready, emotionally and physically, for whatever a typhoon—super or otherwise—or any other disaster may bring. And, yes, prayer helps. We should pray for strength and courage and for everyone to be okay afterwards.
Keep safe, everyone.
Yolanda taught a lesson that many of us were not quite willing or ready to pay, simply because the price was just too steep. In the aftermath, there were a lot of “could have beens” and “what ifs.” Now with Ruby, we have become more cautious and vigilant. But the question is, “How ready are we for another super typhoon?"
Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak, during an interview yesterday with Leo Lastimosa on Arangkada, said that while it is commendable to be on one’s guard, we should not panic and incite panic in others. What we can do is prepare. As part of the campaign to educate and help the people, he gave the following advice (in blue font):
Prepare an emergency bag for each family member.
Doing so would expedite evacuation in case there is a need for one. The bag should contain changes of clothes for at least 2-3 days for. Keep each set of clothes in a sealed plastic so they won’t get wet. Also, it would better to include in the bag food items that aren’t big, bulky, and heavy (like biscuits, energy bars, candies, etc.). These little foods will help stretch whatever amount of food that you managed to carry with you.
Prepare an emergency medical kit.
Your kit should include first aid medicines and medicines for common illnesses such as fever and cold.
Prepare food that would at least last 2-3 days.
Ready-to-eat and easy-to-prepare foods, such as canned goods, are better. Don’t forget a can opener. There are nail clippers with an attached small can opener. They are small and handy and would do in a pinch.
If you have a baby, don't forget the baby formula. It should also last for about 2-3 days. Don't forget the baby bottles too.
Secure your important documents.
Place them inside a water-proof container or bag so they won’t get wet.
Charge your mobile phones and other gadgets.
Make sure your devices (mobile phone, tablets, laptops, etc.) are fully charged. If possible, secure extra batteries or power banks. If there is a need for emergency evacuation, you can always bring your devices with you. Yes, even your laptop, if you think its added weight won’t slow you down. But never ever think about taking with you your 42-inch ultra-high definition LED TV. Unless you can inflate it and use it as a shelter where you can safely wait out the typhoon, it’s better left in your house. If you’re worried someone might come and carry it away while you’re off trying to save your life, don’t. Remember, everyone else will also be busy saving their lives. But to ease your mind, lock your house if you need to leave it.
Always listen for updates.
Tune in to your favorite radio or TV network or visit the online sites of weather agencies for updates. Knowing what’s happening will help prepare you for what's about to come.
Buy batteries and flashlights.
Power may have to be cut, so it makes sense to buy batteries and flashlight. If you have a battery-operated radio, buy batteries for it also.
Know beforehand the location of the evacuation centers.
Coordinate with your local/barangay officials. Knowing where the evacuation center is can spell the difference between life and death in certain situations. If an emergency evacuation has been ordered, or when you no longer feel safe in your house, don't dally and head immediately for the nearest designated evacuation center.
Keep your non-human family members safe (also).
Pets can also drown and get hurt. So don’t leave them to fend for themselves. But if it’s not possible for you to bring them, make sure they are in a place where they are as safe as they could be. Don't lock them somewhere they don't have any chance of escaping. Animals are ingenious and their survival instincts will keep them safe if you can't.
Designate a meeting place.
If you must be out of your house or away from your family during a typhoon, designate a meeting place in advance. This way, even if communication gets cut, you know where to look for your family members. This also helps for when you get separated for whatever reason.
We cannot stop typhoons, so instead of just hoping and wishing that it will not "continue," we should prepare. And wishing for it to veer and not hit Cebu or Leyte (or where ever your place is) is just like wishing it to hit other areas instead, which is kind of selfish and mean-spirited. What we can do is be ready, emotionally and physically, for whatever a typhoon—super or otherwise—or any other disaster may bring. And, yes, prayer helps. We should pray for strength and courage and for everyone to be okay afterwards.
Keep safe, everyone.
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