Hydrometeorological Hazard

HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL HAZARD TYPES: 1. TROPICAL CYCLONE 2. THUNDERSTORM 3. TORNADO 4. STORM SURGE 5. FLOOD 6. EL NINO 7. LA NINA TROPICAL CYCLONE- intense low pressure system with a minimum sustained wind velocity of 35 kph 1. HURRICANES TROPICAL STORMS THAT FORM OVER THE NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN AND NORTHEAST PACIFIC (USA) 2. CYCLONES FORMED OVER THE SOUTH PACIFIC AND INDIAN OCEAN 3. TYPHOONS FORMED OVER THE NORTHWEST PACIFIC OCEAN (PHILIPPINES) CONDITIONS TO FORM TYPHOON CLUSTER OF THUNDERSTORM WARM OCEAN TEMPERATURE ABOVE 26 ͦ C CONVERGING WINDS ROTATION OF THE EARTH -the tropical cyclone has an eye which is 10-100 klometers in diameter -the area where the wind is light and calm and there is no rain -there is an eye wall where the precipitation is heaviest and the wind is strongest CYCLONE CLASSIFICATION TROPICAL DEPRESSION- WINDS UP TO 61 KPH TROPICAL STORM- WINDS UP TO 62-88 PKH SEVERE TROPICAL STORM- WINDS UP TO 89-117 KHP TYPHOON- WINDS UP TO 118-220 KPH SUPRE TYPHOON- WINDS EXCEEDING 220 KPH TOOLS IN TRACKING THE STORM SATELLITE- the most advanced technology used in monitoring a cyclone or typhoon Can visualize exactly in real time the formation and the path of a cyclone RADIO DETECTION AND RANGING (RADAR) -measures the direction and the speed of moving objects, such as precipitation BAROMETER Used to measure air pressure PREPAREDNESS AND MITIGATION WHAT TO DO BEFORE ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN COORDINATION WITH BARANGAY DISASTER COORDINATING COUNCILS (BDCC) AND PERSONNEL -STORE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FOOD AND CLEAN WATER -PREPARE FOODS THAT NEED NOT BE COOKED -KEEP FLASHLIGHTS, CANDLES AND BATTERY-POWERED RADIOS

-EXAMINE YOUR HOUSE AND REPAIR ITS UNSTABLE PARTS -ALWAYS KEEP YOURSELF UPDATED WITH THE LATEST WEATHER REPORT -HARVEST CROPS THAT CAN BE YIELDED ALREADY -SHOULD YOU NEED TO EVACUATE, BRING CLOTHES, FIRST AID KIT, CANDLES/FLASHLIGHT, BATTERYPOWERED RADIO, FOOD ETC. -PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN THE SCHOOL’S DISASTER RESPONSE-DRILL OR SIMULATION WHAT TO DO DURING -STAY INSIDE THE HOUSE -ALWAYS KEEP YOURSELF UPDATED WITH THE LATEST WEATHER REPORT -IF THERE IS POWER INTERRUPTION, KEEP AN EYE ON LIGHTED CANDLES OR GAS LAMPS -DO NOT WADE THROUGH FLOODWATERS TO AVOID BEING ELECTROCUTED AND CONTRACTING DISEASES -EVACUATE CALMLY -PUT IMPORTANT APPLIANCES AND BELONGINGS IN A HIGH GROUND WHAT TO DO AFTER -IF YOUR HOUSE WAS NOT DESTROYED AND YOU EVACUATE, MAKE SURE THAT IT IS ALREADY SAFE AND STABLE WHEN YOU ENTER -BEWARE OF DANGEROUS ANIMALS SUCH AS SNAKES THAT MAY HAVE ENTERED YOUR HOUSE -WATCH OUT FOR LIVE WIRES OR OUTLET IMMERSED IN WATER -REPORT DAMAGED ELECTRICAL CABLES AND FALLEN ELECTRIC POSTS TO THE AUTHORITIES -IN CASE OF MAJOR CUTS AND WOUNDS, SEEK NECESSARY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AT DISASTER STATION OR HOSPITAL -COORDINATE WITH THE BARANGAY OFFICIALS AND LGU’S FOR ASSISTANCE TROPICAL CYCLONE SECONDARY HAZARDS: FLOODS- due to overflowing of water Can also be due to accumulation of rainwater in drainage NATURAL CAUSES: -intense or prolonged rainfall -storm surge -high tide MAN MADE CAUSES: -INCREASED URBANIZATION AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT -INFORMAL SETTLERS -INDISCRIMINATE DUMPING OF GARBAGE -DEFORESTATION -FAILURE OF DAMS -BLASTING TYPES OF FLOOD RIVER FLOOD- CAUSE BY OVERFLOWING OF RIVERS FLASH FLOOD- CAUSED BY SHORT PERIOD OF UNUSUAL HEAVY RAIN COASTAL FLOOD- OCCURS WHEN STRONG ONSHORE WINDS PUSH THE WATER IN LAND

BEFORE FLOODING: -know how often your location is likely to be flooded and to what extent -be familiar with the flood warning system in your community and be sure your family knows it -keep informed of daily weather condition -designate an evacuation area for the family and livestock WHEN WARNED TO FLOOD: -be alert to the possibility of flood -listen to the radio for emergency instructions -if advise to evacuate, do so. Do not panic -store drinking water -Move household belonging to upper levels -Bring livestock to higher ground -turn off electricity at the main switch DURING FLOODING: -avoid flooded areas -do not attempt to cross rivers -eat only-cooked food -drink clean or preferably boiled water only AFTER FLOODING: -Re-enter the dwellings with caution using flashlight -beware of fire hazards -do not eat food or drink water until they have been checked for food and water contamination -report broken utility lines -keep stock of food -keep transitioned radio and flashlight with spare batteries, firstaid kit STORM SURGE: a sudden rise of sea level above normal level on the coast due to drop in atmospheric pressure and the force of the wind -can be 18 feet high and go as far as 2 kilometers away the shoreline -the rise in sea level can cause flooding CAUSES: -WIND/PRESSURE EFFECT -RAIN EFFECT -TIDAL EFFECT -SHAPE OF THE COASTLINE AND SLOPE OF THE SEA BED WHAT SHOULD YOU DO: -make plans for evacuating the members of the family -stay off the beach -during weather disturbances, rely on your own initiative rather than wait for governmental action -evacuate to higher ground away from beaches THUNDERSTORM: a localized storm cloud that produces lightning and thunder, and often brings heavy rain shower or hail as well as strong gusty winds. 3 STAGES: INITIAL OR CUMULUS STAGE- the sun heats the earth’s surface, the ground warms the air above it. the warm air rises and water vapor condenses to cumulus clouds MATURE STAGE- the cloud causes heavy precipitation, severe lightning, strong and gusty winds, hail and tornadoes at times. It is at this stage that the thunderstorm is strongest.

DISSIPATING STAGE- decrease its intensity and clouds begin to dissipate DANGEROUS WEATHER CONDITIONS: -heavy rains -floods -lightning -tornadoes - hailstones HAILSTONES- icy crystals falling from a thunderstorm. LIGHTNING- a visible electrical discharge due to high voltage differences that build up within the clouds between the clouds and the ground SIGNS OF AN IMPENDING THUNDERSTORM: -towering cumulonimbus clouds -darkening skies -flashes of lightning and gusty wind -sound of thunder -static on your communication equipment TORNADO:-Localized windstorm characterized by a visible funnel-shaped, rapidly whirling cloud extending downward from the base of a dark cumulonimbus cloud. -also known as twister. In the Philippines called buhawi or ipoipo -wind speeds are estimated to exceed 450 kph -WATERSPOUT- when a tornado occurs or moves over a body of water SIGNS: -the appearance of a funnel-shaped column -having water that feels warm, humid, uncomfortable and thunder -lightning and thunder -roaring and buzzing sound WHAT TO DO: -if at work, home or in school, keep calm:take cover in any interior hallway.stay away from windows -sucure outdoor object -lie down in any depression o crawl into culverts when a tornado is about to strike -when driving a vehicle, stop, abandon it and seek shelter -they are short-lived. They come and quickly go DROUGHT:-the lack of rainfall for normal needs. FOLLOWING IMPACTS: -agricultural crops will not grow without water -animals will die out of thirst -there could be a famine or food insecurity -the water supply may be reduced -there would be epidemic and other health problems due to the rise of micro-organisms, poor sanitation and hunger -high temperature can trigger wild fire WHAT TO DO: -Build structures that can conserve water such as dams, dikes and irrigation systems -conserve water even prior to the occurrence of the drought -preserve and store food