MMDA Disaster Awareness:What to do during Public Storm Signals?

What to do during Public Storm Signal No. 1:

1. Listen to your radio for more information about weather disturbance.
2. Check the ability of the house to withstand strong winds and strengthen it if necessary.
3. The people are advised to monitor the latest severe weather Bulletin issued by PAGASA every six hours. In the meantime, business may be carried out as usual except when flood occurs.

What to do during Public Storm Signal No. 2:

1. Special attention should be given to the latest position, the direction and speed movement as the cyclone may intensity and move towards the locality.
2. The general public, especially people travelling by sea and air are cautioned to avoid unnecessary risks.
3. Protect properties before signals are upgraded.
4. Board up windows or put storm shutters in place and securely fasten it. Stay at home.

What to do during Public Storm Signal No. 3:

1. Keep your radio on and listen to the latest news about typhoon.
2. Everybody is advised to stay in safe and strong houses.
3. Evacuate from low-lying areas to higher grounds.
4. Stay away from coasts and riverbanks.
5. Watch out for the passage of the "EYE" of the typhoon.

What to do during Public Storm Signal No. 4:

1. Stay in safe houses or evacuation centers
2. All travels and outdoor activities should be cancelled.
3. Keep listening to your radio to the latest news about the typhoon.

What to do during Public Storm Signal No. 5:

1. Stay in safe houses or evacuation centers
2. All travels and outdoor activities should be cancelled.

FLOODING

Preparation for Calamities particularly Flooding

1. Regularly monitor your radio and television for calamity news updates.
2. Prepare for enough candles, rechargeable lamps and flashlights for possible brownouts.
3. If you reside in an area near the river, waterways, or mountainsides, immediately evacuate to prevent flashfloods and landslides.
4. Store enough food, water, and first-aid kit.
5. Prepare a list of emergency hotlines.

EARTHQUAKES

What to do BEFORE an Earthquake:

1. The key to effective Disaster prevention is planning

. Determine whether the site is along an active fault and/or prone to liquefaction or landslide which may cause damage to your house
. Be sure that proper structural design and engineering practice is followed when constructing a house or building.
. Evaluate the structural soundness of buildings and important infrastructure; strengthen or retrofit if found necessary.

2. Familiarize you self with your place of work and residence.

. Identify relatively strong parts of the building like door jambs, near elevator shafts, sturdy , tables where you can take refuge during an earthquake.
. Learn to use fire extinguishers, first aid kits, alarms and emergency exit. These should be accessible/conveniently located, and prominently marked.

3. Prepare your place of work and residence for the event.

. Strap heavy furniture/cabinets to the wall to prevent sliding or toppling.
. Breakable items, harmful chemicals and flammable materials should be stored in the lowermost shelves and secured firmly.
. Make it habit to turn of gas tanks when not in use.

4. Most causes of injuries during earthquake are from falling objects.

. Heavy materials should be kept in lower shelves.
. Check the stability of hanging objects which may break loose and fall during earthquakes.
. Prepare and maintain an earthquake survival kit consisting of battery powered radio, flashlight, first aid kit, potable water, candies, ready-to-eat food, whistle and dust mask.

What to do DURING an Earthquake:

1. If you are inside a structurally sound building, stay there.

. Protect your bodies from falling debris by bracing yourself in doorway or by getting under a sturdy desk or table.

2. If you are outside, move to an open area.

. Get away from power lines, posts, walls and other structures that may fall or collapse.
. Stay away from buildings with glass panes.
. If you are on a mountain or near steep hill slope, move away from steep escarpments which may be affected by landslide.

3. When driving a vehicle, pull to the side of the road and stop.

. Do not attempt to cross bridges or overpass which may have been damaged.
. If you are along the shore and you feel a very strong earthquake, strong enough to make standing difficult, it is always safest to assume that tsunami (giant sea waves) has been triggered. Run away from the shore toward higher ground.
. Make it habit to turn of gas tanks when not in use.

What to do AFTER an Earthquake:

1. If you are inside an old, weak structure, take the fastest and safest away out!

. Do not rush to the exit; get out calmly in an orderly manner.
. Do not use elevators, use the stairs.
. Check yourself and others for injuries.

2. Help reduce the number of casualties from the earthquake.

. Don't enter partially damage buildings; strong aftershocks may cause these collapse
. Gather information and disaster prevention instructions from battery-operated radios.
. Obey public safety precaution.

3. Check your Surroundings.

. Clean-up chemical spills, toxic and flammable materials to avoid any chain of unwanted events.
. Check for fire and if any, have it controlled.
. Check your water and electrical lines for defects, if any damage is suspected, turn the system off in the main valve or switch.

4. Unless you need emergency help,:

. Do not use your telephone to call relatives and friends. Disaster prevention authorities may need the line for emergency communication.
. Do not use your car and drive around areas of damage, rescue and relief operations need the roads for mobility.

5. If you must evacuate your residence, leave a message stating where you are going.

. Take with you your earthquake survival kit, which should contain all necessary items for your protection and comforts.

https://www.mmda.gov.ph/20-faq/288-disaster-awareness-faq.html