Understanding Typhoon

PAGASA
• Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and
Astronomical Services Administration

• According to PAGASA, about 20 tropical cyclones

enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility ( PAR)
each year.
 Tropical Cyclone
• System of thunderstorms those are moving around a center.
• As the winds intensify or weaken, the category is upgraded or
downgraded accordingly.
• It is accompanied with very strong winds, heavy rains & large
ocean waves.
• Its wind circulation rotates Counter-clockwise in the
Northern Hemisphere
• Clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

• Tropical Cyclones generally move in a northwest direction.

• The reason is because there are large-scale winds that push
the tropical cyclones in that direction.
 HOW TYPHOONS ARE FORMED

• Typhoons start off as tropical thunderstorms.

• The strong winds pull in moisture from the
oceans.
 THUNDERSTORM
• Are generally local storms produced by cumulonimbus clouds and
are always accompanied by lightning and thunder, usually with
strong wind gusts, heavy rain and sometimes with hail and/or
tornado.
• Thunderstorms are typical in warm environments like the tropics
and may persist for 1 to 2 hours.
• The thunderstorms convert the moisture into heat.
• The heat causes more air to flow to the center of the storm
causing evaporation.
• All the heat and air flow toward the eye creating the typhoon.
 Tropical Cyclone Categories

CATEGORY MAXIMUM WIND

SPEED
KM/HR (kph)
Tropical depression (TD) Up to 61
Tropical Storm(TS) 62-88
Severe Tropical Storm(STS) 89-117
Typhoon(TY) 118-220
Super typhoon EXCEEDING 220
 Bodies of water Percentag
e
Western North Pacific Ocean 30%
(includes the South China &
Philippine Seas
East Pacific Ocean 15%
Western Atlantic Ocean-South 12%
& North Indian Oceans-South
Pacific
Northern and Western 7%
Australia
 Typhoon
• Term used only in the northwestern part of the Pacific
Ocean.
Hurricane
• Term used in the northeastern part of the Pacific Ocean
and in the northern part of the Atlantic.

Bagyo

• The term used to call all the categories of tropical

cyclone
• When a tropical cyclone enters the PAR, the PAGASA
will announce PUBLIC STORM WARNING
SIGNALS (PSWS).
• The lifting or assigning of a PSWS in a certain place
usually happens before the corresponding atmospheric
conditions exist over a locality.
• The aim of the signal is to warn the people of the
approaching danger that the tropical cyclone may bring.
PSWS LEAD TIME Wind Speed (khp) Impacts of the Wind
(Hrs.)
1 36 30-60 No damage to very light
damage
2 24 61-120 Light to moderate damage

3 18 121-170 moderate to very heavy

damage
4 12 171-220 Heavy to very heavy
damage
5 12 More than 220 Very heavy to widespread
damage
What to Do During a Typhoon?
PSWS 1
• Listen to your radio for more information about
the weather disturbances
• Check the ability of the house to windstand
strong winds and strengthen it if necessary.
• The people are advised to monitor the latest
severe weather Bulletin issued by PAGASA every
six hours.
• In the meantime, business may carried out as
usual except when fLood occurs.
PSWS 2
• Special attention should be given to the latest
position, the direction, and the speed movement
as the cyclone may intensify and move towards
the locality.
• The general public, especially people travelling
by sea and air are cautioned to avoid
unnecessary risks.
• Protect properties before signals are upgraded
• Board up windows or put storm shutters in place
and securely fasten it.
• Stay at home.
PSWS 3
• Keep your radio on and listen to the latest news
about typhoon.
• Everybody is advised to stay in safe and strong
houses.
• Evacuate from low-lying areas to higher
grounds.
• Stay away from coasts and riverbanks.
• Watch out for the passage of the “EYE” of the
typhoon.
PSWS 4
• Stay in safe houses or evacuation centers.
• All travels and outdoors activities should be
cancelled.
• Keep listening to your radio to the latest news
about the typhoon.
PSWS 5
• Stay in safe houses or evacuation centers.
• All travels and outdoor activities should be
cancelled.
Tropical cyclone is considered as one of
the most destructive natural disasters
that affects the lives of many people and
causes tremendous loss of properties.

Listed below are the effects of tropical

cyclone that can leave a significant mark
on the lives of people.
1. Strong winds (squalls). The surface wind increases in
magnitude and is maintained over a time interval of
several minutes to half an hour. The increase in wind
speed may occur abruptly or slowly. These changes in
near landfall can lead to loss of lives and large damage
to properties.
2. Tornadoes. These are produced by tropical cyclone
characterized by a violent and destructive whirling wind
accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud. A weak tornado
has a wind speed of about 64-116 kph.
3. Rainfall and Flooding. Rainfall associated with tropical
cyclone is both beneficial and harmful. Rains contribute to
the water needs of the areas traversed by the tropical
cyclone. The rains are harmful when the amount is way too
large as to cause flooding.
4. Storm surge. This is an abnormal rise of water due to
tropical cyclone and it is an oceanic event. These
devastating surges occur along coasts with low-lying
terrain.
After an emergency, we may need to survive on our own for
several days. We should have our own emergency kit that
will last us for at least 72 hours.

An emergency kit is a collection of basic items that a

household should have in the event of an emergency like a
typhoon.
 Emergency Kit
• personal hygiene items
• important documents
• 15-meter rope
• extra clothes
• pocket knife
• first aid kit
• matches
• blanket
• money
• lighter
• watch
water (one gallon per person per day for at least three
days, for drinking and sanitation)
• food (at least a three-day supply of
• non-perishable food)
• cellular phone with charger and power bank
• transistor radio and batteries
• whistle (to signal for help)
• flashlight and batteries
• waterproof bag
What are the precautionary measures to
be done before, during, and after a
tropical cyclone?
 BEFORE THE TYPHOON:
• Store an adequate supply of food and clean water
• Prepare foods that need not be cooked.
• Keep flashlights, candles and battery-powered radios within easy reach.
• Ensure that your house (or school) can withstand strong winds and heavy
rains.
• Always keep yourself updated with the latest weather report.
• Discuss with your family, friends, classmate about typhoon and other
weather disturbances, understand weather forecasts and how to
minimize our risks
• Recommend trimming and removal of unstable trees, electric posts, or
any infrastructure that could fall and may cause damage or injury.
• Harvest crops that can be yielded already.
• Secure domesticated animals in a safe place.
• For fisher folks, place boats in a safe area.
• Should you need to evacuate, bring clothes, first aid kit,
candles/flashlight, battery-powered radio, food, etc.
• Participate actively in the school drills on disaster response
 DURING THE TYPHOON:
• Stay inside the house.
• Stay in a sturdy and stable shelter
• Stay indoors and away from windows or things that may topple over.
• Regularly monitor official updates of PAGASA or other reliable sources
on the tropical cyclone.
• If safe drinking water is not available, boil water for at least 20 minutes.
Place it in a container with cover.
• Keep an eye on lighted candles or gas lamps.
• Do not wade through floodwaters to avoid being electrocuted and
contracting diseases.
• Coordinate with the local community on possible evacuation
measures (especially if you are in a low-lying area)
• If there is a need to move to an evacuation center, follow these
reminders.
• Evacuate calmly.
• Close the windows and turn off the main power switch.
• Put important appliances and belongings in a high ground.
• Avoid the way leading to the river.
 AFTER THE TYPHOON:
• If your house was destroyed, 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.
• Do not let water accumulate in tires, cans or pots to avoid creating a
favorable condition for mosquito breeding.
• Attend to injuries if needed.
• Apply first aid to minor cuts or wounds
• Seek medical assistance at your nearest clinic or hospital
• Check your immediate vicinity (house, school, surroundings) for
any damages that can pose a potential hazard to people around it.