If you happen to have lost all types of medium – radio, television and internet – just keep watch of these signs to know that a supertyphoon is in the neighborhood.
Signs of a supertyphoon are yet very strange for Filipinos because the Philippines used to have only up to public storm warning signal number 4.
But since Typhoon Yolanda devastated most of the Visayas in 2013, it made an on-set for Lawin to be escalated to supertyphoon level and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Administration (PAGASA) added signal number 5 to their public storm warning signals.
Now, how do Filipinos know that a supertyphoon is already in town?
Take note of these signs to know that a supertyphoon is just around the corner.
- The typhoon brings a maximum strength of wind of more than 220 kilometers per hour within 12 hours.
- The structures made of light materials are already in danger, especially if these are located in coastal areas.
- The wind can already fly the roofing, windows and doors of small residential and commercial building.
- Signboards can also be flown due to strong winds.
- Many houses and buildings will be left devastated, either by wind or flood.
- The supply of electricity and the accessibility of communication can also be affected.
- Branches of lofty trees, including coconut trees, can be cut or be totally uprooted, by winds alone.
- Short plants and bushes are the only plants which can survive a supertyphoon.
- Supertyphoons can also bring about catastrophes which are very hazardous to all mankind and therefore, all transactions outside of the house must be cancelled.
- But it is important to take note one of the most important signs: in the middle of the passing of a supertyphoon, a fair weather will suddenly take place, a sign that the eye or the center of the typhoon is underway.
- This is why evacuation of the residents likely to be hit by the supertyphoon to be executed rapidly.
- The eye or the center of the typhoon’s passing pass by a place will last for one to two hours. After its passing, heavy rains and strong winds will once again be experienced.
- Strong winds usually come from the South direction.
- Coastal areas will most likely experience over three meters high storm surge while in open seas, it may reach up to 14 meters high.
Please make sure you familiarize yourself with these signs for you to know that you are already being hit by a supertyphoon.