What Do Typhoon Signals Mean?

PSWS # 2

PSWS # 3

Meteorological Condition

• A tropical cyclone will affect the locality.
• Winds of greater than 100kph up to 185kph may be expected in at least 18 hours.

Meteorological Conditions

• A tropical cyclone will affect the locality.
• Winds of greater than 60kph and up to 100kph may be expected in at least 24 hours.

PSWS # 1

Impact of Winds

• Many coconut trees may be broken or destroyed.
• Almost all banana plants may be downed and a large number of trees may be uprooted.
• Majority of all the nipa and cogon houses may be unrooted or destroyed.
• There might be considerable damage to light and medium construction.
• There may be widespread disruption of electrical power and communication services.
• In general, moderate to heavy damage may be experienced at agricultural and industrial sectors.

Meteorological Conditions

• A tropical cyclone will affect the Locality.
• Winds of 30-60 kph may be expected in at least 36 hours or intermittent rains may be expected within 36 hour.

Impact of the Winds

• Some coconut trees may be tilted with few others broken.
• Few big trees may be uprooted.
• Many banana plants may be downed.
• Rice and corn may be adversely affected.
• Large number of nipa and cogon houses may be partially or totally unroofed.
• Some old galvanized iron roofs may be peeled off.
• In general, the winds may bring light to moderate damage to the exposed communities.

Announcements of Class Suspensions

Precautionary Measures

• The disturbance is dangerous to the communities threatened/affected.
• The sea and coastal waters will be very dangerous to all seacrafts.
• Travel is risky especially be sea and air.
• People are advised to seek shelter in strong buildings, evacuate low-lying areas, and to stay away from the coasts and river banks.
• Watch out for the passage of the "eye" of the typhoon that hits the community; do not venture away from the safe shelter because, after 1-2 hours, the worst weather will resume with the very strong winds coming from the south.
• Classes in all levels should be suspended and children should stay in the safety of strong structures.
• Disaster preparedness and response agencies/organizations are in action with appropriate response to actual emergency.

PSWS # 4

Meteorological Condition

• A very intense typhoon will affect the locality.
• Very strong winds of more than 185kph may be expected in at least 12 hours.

Impact of Winds

• Twigs and small trees may be broken.
• Some banana plants may be tilted.
• Some houses that are not well built may be partially unroofed.
• Unless the warning is upgraded to a higher storm signal, only some exposed communities may obtain damage.
• Rice crops, however, may suffer significant damage when it is in its flowering stage.

Tip

Impact of Winds

• Coconut plantation may suffer extensive damaged.
• Many large trees may be uprooted.
• Rice and corn plantation ,ay suffer severe losses.
• Most residential and institutional buildings of mixed construction may be severely damaged.
• Electrical power distribution and communication services may be severely disrupted.
• In the overall, damage to affected communities can be very heavy.

Precautionary Measures

• The sea and coastal waters are dangerous to small seacrafts.
• Attention should be given to the latest updates like the position, direction, speed of movement, and intensity of the storm.
• The general public, especially people traveling by sea and air, are cautioned to avoid unnecessary risks.
• Outdoor activities of children should be postponed.
• Secure properties before the signal is upgraded.
• Disaster preparedness agencies/organizations are in action to alert their communities.

Precautionary Measures

• The situation is potentially very destructive to the community.
• All travels and outdoor activities should be cancelled.
• Evacuation to safer shelters should have been completed since it may be too late under this situation.
• With PSWS#4, the loaclity is very likely to be hit directly by the eye of the typhoon. As the eye of the typhoon approaches, the weather will continuously worsen with winds increasing to its strongest. Then a sudden improvement of the weather with light winds will be experienced (which means the eye is over the locality)for 1-2 hours depending on the diameter of the eye.
• The disaster coordinating councils concerned and other disaster response organizations are now fully responding to emergencies and in full readiness to immediately respond to possible calamity.

Precautionary Measures

• When the tropical cyclone is intensifying and is moving closer, this signal may be upgraded to the next higher level.
• The waves on coastal waters may gradually develop and become bigger and higher.
• The people are advised to listen to latest weather bulletin issued by PAGASA every 6 hours.
• Business may be carried out as usual except when flood occurs.
• Disaster preparedness is activated to alert status

Rainfall and Flooding System

There is now a system of rainfall and flood warnings being used in the country. Even dam levels are now monitored and the situations are announced to the public. These warnings are hoisted in addition to the usual PSWS announcements. Study the rainfall and flood warning system in the table.

Thank You for Listening!

Objectives

Trivia with Kuya Khoby

Top 10 Most Devestating Natural Disasters

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Please Listen Carefully

1. China Floods, China 1931

Death Toll : 4 million

2. Yellow River Flood, China 1887

Death Toll : 1.5 million

3. Shaanxi Earthquake, China 1556

Death Toll : 830 000

4. Bhola Cyclone, Bangladesh 1970

Death Toll : 500 000

5. Hooghly River Cyclone, India and Bangladesh 1737

Death Toll : 350 000

6. Coringa Cyclone, India 1839

Death Toll : 300 000

7. Haiphong Cyclone, Vietnam 1881

Death Toll : 300 000

8. Indian Ocean Tsunami, Indian Ocean 2004

Death Toll : 275 000

9. Antioch Earthquake, Syria and Turkey 526 A.D.

Death Toll : 250 000

10.Tangshan Earthquake ,China 1976

Death Toll : 242 000

PAGASA's Public Storm Warning Signals

To be able to express what the Philippine Public Storm Warning Signals means.

Please raise your hands if you have any questions

• This describes the weather conditions like wind speed and rainfall.
• As well as the amount of time before those conditions occur in a certain locality.
• It also describes the possible impact of the winds.

What Do Typhoon Signals Mean?