Public Storm Warning Signal
Disaster Readiness And risk Reduction

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Philippines: A country prone to natural disasters

Typhoon Haiyan is one of the deadliest natural disasters ever to hit the Philippines. But it’s far from the only one - the Southeast Asian country is located in an area that has been struck by a number of major storms.

The Philippines has suffered from an inexhaustible number of deadly typhoons, earthquakes, volcano eruptions and other natural disasters. This is due to its location along the Ring of Fire, or typhoon belt – a large Pacific Ocean region where many of Earth’s volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur.

Annually, approximately 80 typhoons develop above tropical waters, of which 19 enter the Philippine region and six to nine make landfall, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).

The Philippines is in fact the country most exposed to tropical storms in the world. Violent tropical storms, such as the latest Haiyan typhoon, can generate 10 times as much energy as the Hiroshima atomic bomb.

Here is a list of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, typhoons, cyclones and other natural disasters the Philippines has had to cope with during the past decade - leaving thousands of people dead and the country's infrastructure and economy in tatters.


The Philippine Storm Warning Signal: Knowing the Four (4) Stage Signals...

(Courtesy of PAGASA)

Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1

    • Meteorological Conditions

      • -  A tropical cyclone will affect the locality.

      -  Winds of 30 - 60 kilometers per hour (kph) may be expected in at least 36

          hours or intermittent rains may be expected within 36 hours. (When the

          tropical cyclone develops very close to the locality - a shorter lead time of the

          occurrence of the winds will be specified in the warning bulletin)

    • Impact of the Winds
      -   Twigs and branches of small trees may be broken.

      -   Some banana plants may be tilted or downed.

      -   Some houses of very light materials (nipa and cogon) may be partially unroofed.

      -   Unless this warning signal is upgraded during the entire existence of the tropical

          cyclone,  only very light or no damage at all may be sustained by the exposed

          communities.

      -   Rice crop, however, may suffer significant damage when it is in its flowering

          stage.

    • Precautionary Measures

      -   When the tropical cyclone is strong or 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 the latest severe weather bulletin issued by

      PAGASA every six (6) hours.  In the meantime, business may be carried out as

      usual except when floods occur.

      -   Disaster preparedness is activated to alert status.


    Public Storm Warning Signal No. 2
  • Meteorological Conditions

    • -   A tropical cyclone will affect the locality.

    -   Winds of greater than 60 kph and up to 100 kph may be expected in at least

        24 hours.

  • 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 roofings may be peeled off.

    -   In general, the winds may bring light to moderate damage to the exposed

        communities.

  • Precautionary Measures

    • -   The sea and coastal waters are dangerous to small seacrafts.

    -   Special attention should be given to the latest position, the direction and

        speed of movement and the intensity of the storm as it may intensify and

        move towards the locality.

    -   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/organization are in action to alert their

        communities.

    Public Storm Warning Signal No. 3
    • Meteorological Conditions

      • -   A tropical cyclone will affect the locality.

      -   Winds greater than 100 kph up to 185 kph may be expected in at least

      18 hours.

    • Impact of the 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.

      -   Rice and corn crops may suffer heavy losses.

      -   Majority of all nipa and cogon houses may be unroofed or destroyed and there

          may be considerable damage to structures of light to medium construction.

      -   There may be widespread disruption of electrical power and communication

          services (including the Internet).

      -   In general, moderate to heavy damage may be expected, practically in the

          agricultural and industrial sectors.

    • Precautionary Measures

      • -   The disturbance is dangerous to the communities threatened / affected.

      -   The sea and coastal waters will be very dangerous to all types of seacrafts.

      -   Travel is very risky especially by 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 indicated by a sudden

          occurrence of fair weather immediately after very bad weather with very strong

          winds coming generally from the north.

      -   When the "eye" of the typhoon hit the community,  do not venture away from the

          safe shelter because after one(1) to two(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 buildings and evacuation centers.

      -   Disaster preparedness and response agencies / organizations are in action with

          appropriate response to actual emergency.

    Public Storm Warning Signal No. 4
  • Meteorological Condition

    • -   A very intense typhoon will affect the locality.

    -   Very strong winds of more than 185 kph may be expected in at least 12 hours.

  • Impact of the Winds

    • -   Coconut plantation may suffer extensive damage.

    -   Many large trees may be uprooted.

    -   Rice and corn plantation may suffer severe losses.

    -   Most residential and institutional buildings of mixed construction may be

        severely damaged.

    -   Electrical power distribution and communication services (including Internet)

        may be severely disrupted.

    -   In the overall, damage to affected communities can be very heavy.

  • Precautionary Measures

    • -   The situation is potentially very destructive to the community.

    -   All travels and outdoor activities should be canceled.

    -   Evacuation to much safer shelters should have been completed since it may

        be too late under this situation.

    -   With PSWS No. 4,  the locality 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 the winds increasing to its strongest coming  generally

        from the north.  Then a sudden improvement of the weather with light winds

        (a lull) will be experienced.  This means that the "eye" of the typhoon is over the

        locality.  This improved weather may last for one(1) to two(2) hours - depending

        on the diameter of the "eye" and the speed of movement.  As the "eye" moves

        out of the locality, the worst weather experienced before the lull will suddenly

        commence.  This time the very strong winds will come generally from the south.

    -   The Disaster Coordinating Councils concerned and other disaster response

        organizations are now fully responding to emergencies and in full readiness

        to immediately response to possible calamity

    source:  Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, & Astronomical, Services Administration (PAGASA)