Be Prepared - Severe Weather

[BrettGC]

I know this may seem like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted for some but I thought it a good idea to post anyway.  To those of us that have lived, or are currently living in tropical areas this is largely common knowledge so it's mainly for those that have yet to experience something that will become part of your life in PI but as an old crusty Warrant Officer once said to me "Son, never assume anything".  It's by no means definitive and I'm sure that people will have something to add that I've forgotten so feel free.  Some may say it's going overboard, but can you go overboard when it comes to the safety of those you love?  I also understand that some of the things listed may be beyond the means of many but take what you can from below, it may save your life.  So here it is:

 

Preparation for Severe Weather

• Know where your shelters or evacuation centres are
• Keep your house in good repair so nothing can come loose
• Tape all your windows, ideally have metal shutters fitted
• Secure any loose items around the house eg Outdoor furniture, BBQs
• Disconnect all electrical appliances
• Turn off gas mains and electrical supply
• Take down all external antennas (TV/radio/internet), they are lightning rods and missile hazards
• Move garbage cans inside, sterilise and fill with fresh water
• Park vehicles under cover (not trees) and secure
• Sand bag against storm surge

 

 

Evacuation Kit to Take With You:

• Changes of clothes for all members of the household stored in sealable plastic bags
• Enough non-perishable food for at least 3 days in the shelter
• Extra essential medicines and repeat prescriptions
• First aid kit – with sunscreen and insect repellent.  Regularly check all is still in date
• Extra toiletry and sanitary supplies
• Blankets, sleeping bags for each household member
• Books and games for children
• Extra baby formula, nappies etc if required
• Valuables, small keepsakes
• Extra money as cash
• Multi-tool eg Leatherman, Gerber etc
• Mobile phone, spare batteries and charger
• Battery powered or wind-up radio with spare batteries
• Battery powered or wind-up torch with spare batteries
• Important documents or at least certified copies:
  • Insurance papers
  • Inventory of household goods for the above
  • Wills and life insurance
  • House deeds/mortgage documents
  • Birth and marriage certificates
  • Passports and visas
  • Stocks and bonds
  • Medicare and pension cards
  • Immunisation records
  • Bank account and credit card details
  • Emergency contact telephone numbers

 

 

To be kept at home, ready for your return:

• Small generator with fuel, secured to a concrete pad with a locked cover - looting is a sad reality in these situations
• Gas bottles for cooking, sterilising etc
• Hot plate for above
• Tarpaulins and rope or line to rig them
• Tents if you have them
• Tool kit
• Above mentioned legal documents in sealed bags
• Food and water:
  • At least 3 litres of water per person per day including pets
  • Non-perishable food for a week (write a menu and stick to it) including pets
  • Can opener, cutlery and cooking equipment
  • Multivitamins
  • Water sterilisation tablets
• Medical and sanitation supplies:
  • Comprehensive first aid kit and manual
  • Disposable  gloves
  • Essential medications, prescriptions and dosage
  • Toilet paper (for those of us that can’t get the hang of pails) and personal hygiene items
  • Toiletries including toothbrush, toothpaste and soap
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Composting camp toilet if you can get hold of one
  • Solar shower (you’d be surprised how much a shower will improve moral)
• Supplies for babies and infants:
  • Food, formula and drink
  • Change of clothing and nappies
  • Favourite toy or activity
• Light:
  • Gas or battery powered lights
  • Torches with spare batteries
  • Candles with waterproof matches
• Communications:
  • Battery operated/wind-up radio – spare batteries
  • Fully charged mobile phone, spare batteries and charger
  • Basic plug in land-line phone
  • List of emergency contact numbers
  • Phone charge cards
  • Change for phone calls
  • Pen and paper
• Clothes:
  • Sturdy covered shoes
  • Sturdy work gloves
  • Wet weather gear, keeps you dry and protects you from light debris
  • Changes of clothes (buy some cheap coveralls is a good option)
  • Hats
  • Safety glasses
  • Extra pairs of prescription glasses
• Other essential items:
  • Rubbish bags with ties
  • Face and dust masks
  • Blankets or sleeping bags
• Last minute items:
  • Household emergency plan
  • Cash, credit and or debit cards
  • Extra car and house keys
  • Special requirements for elderly, injured and disabled and pets

 

 

Where possible all this should all be stored in water tight containers; those used for camping to keep the animals out are ideal.  If you have a lot of camping gear you’re already most of the way there with your preparation.  Where to put it all?  The most secure location in your house, or build something – there is no such thing as too much preparation for these events.  All of the above has proven to be invaluable when I've been in the situation.

 

Hope it helps.  Feel free to add anything I may have forgotten.

 

Brett

Edited November 13, 2013 by BrettGC

[davewe]

Great list - thanks!

 

I've got about 4+ years till we intend to retire and move to PI but these are the sorts of things I am beginning to research.

[Thomas]

Water sterilisation tablets

Or water can be cleaned by cooking

Or filtering away particles plus expose for UV from sun beems (take 6-8 hours a sunny day, of course more cloudy days.)

[BrettGC]

Something I forgot to mention:  Understand the local typhoon, cyclone, hurricane watch/warning/signal designators.  PI designators, and what they mean, can be found here:

 

http://www.gov.ph/crisis-response/the-philippine-public-storm-warning-signals/

Edited November 14, 2013 by BrettGC

[slim55]

I talked to a friend in Central Visayas and he told me he made alot of preparations and it was a huge waste of time as the typhoon did not even touch his area, not even heavy seas. All depends on it's path and where you're located.

[BrettGC]

I talked to a friend in Central Visayas and he told me he made alot of preparations and it was a huge waste of time as the typhoon did not even touch his area, not even heavy seas. All depends on it's path and where you're located.

 

Waste of time this time.  But if he's happy with that and plans not to prepare in the future that's his choice.  For myself, having lived through Cyclones and Typhoons, I won't be caught out.

[Dougbert]

I would add a couple of other items to the list, especially if you live "in the province" (boondocks).  A couple of good tarps, some good rope (paracord is good), an emergency fire starter (flint, magnesium, etc., and some emergency kindling in a sealed plastic bottle), a small plastic whistle on a lanyard for each person.  If things get bad, give every family member their whistle.  If you end up trapped after the storm passes, you can blow it to let others know where you are.  It takes less energy than shouting and the sound carries well.

 

A PET bottle can be used to sterilize water over a small fire if you're careful.  You can boil the water without melting the plastic if you keep a careful eye on it.  Collect rainwater to drink (ring it out of clothing, catch it in and on whatever you can)--it will be a lot safer than anything other than bottled water.  As someone already mentioned, adults can live for a few weeks without food, but water is critical.  Feed kids and nursing moms first.  Get water for everyone.

 

Most importantly, never give up.  Keep your wits about you and you can survive.

[Jake]

I would add a couple of other items to the list, especially if you live "in the province" (boondocks).  A couple of good tarps, some good rope (paracord is good), an emergency fire starter (flint, magnesium, etc., and some emergency kindling in a sealed plastic bottle), a small plastic whistle on a lanyard for each person.  If things get bad, give every family member their whistle.  If you end up trapped after the storm passes, you can blow it to let others know where you are.  It takes less energy than shouting and the sound carries well.

 

A PET bottle can be used to sterilize water over a small fire if you're careful.  You can boil the water without melting the plastic if you keep a careful eye on it.  Collect rainwater to drink (ring it out of clothing, catch it in and on whatever you can)--it will be a lot safer than anything other than bottled water.  As someone already mentioned, adults can live for a few weeks without food, but water is critical.  Feed kids and nursing moms first.  Get water for everyone.

 

Most importantly, never give up.  Keep your wits about you and you can survive.

Hey Dougbert,

 

You must have been watching National Geography survival series.  I wish that I could stock pile food and water

in great quantities, along with having a small armory of assault rifles.....he, he.

 

Besides your great suggestions (love that whistle idea), I would arm myself with a big ass Rambo knife.  My wife

Judy will carry the bolo knife because she said so.  Children can carry pepper spray to ward off threats from any

two or four leg animals.  Man have been known to have a rabid behavior.  

[Dougbert]

 

I would add a couple of other items to the list, especially if you live "in the province" (boondocks).  A couple of good tarps, some good rope (paracord is good), an emergency fire starter (flint, magnesium, etc., and some emergency kindling in a sealed plastic bottle), a small plastic whistle on a lanyard for each person.  If things get bad, give every family member their whistle.  If you end up trapped after the storm passes, you can blow it to let others know where you are.  It takes less energy than shouting and the sound carries well.

 

A PET bottle can be used to sterilize water over a small fire if you're careful.  You can boil the water without melting the plastic if you keep a careful eye on it.  Collect rainwater to drink (ring it out of clothing, catch it in and on whatever you can)--it will be a lot safer than anything other than bottled water.  As someone already mentioned, adults can live for a few weeks without food, but water is critical.  Feed kids and nursing moms first.  Get water for everyone.

 

Most importantly, never give up.  Keep your wits about you and you can survive.

Hey Dougbert,

 

You must have been watching National Geography survival series.  I wish that I could stock pile food and water

in great quantities, along with having a small armory of assault rifles.....he, he.

 

Besides your great suggestions (love that whistle idea), I would arm myself with a big ass Rambo knife.  My wife

Judy will carry the bolo knife because she said so.  Children can carry pepper spray to ward off threats from any

two or four leg animals.  Man have been known to have a rabid behavior.  

 

 

You're close--too much Bear Grylls, Survivorman, Dual Survival, etc on Discovery!  I'm not one of those doomsday prepper guys, but living in earthquake country means you have to be prepared when it happens.

 

It's good that you have figured out who is in charge, brother Jake.  My mom's parents were married on Christmas Day 1941 when they were 18 (and a half) and remained so until his death in 2006.  My late grandfather used to remark that what kept their marriage strong was that early on they had an agreement.  He would make all the big decisions and she would make all the small ones.......and so far there hadn't been any big decisions!

[Thomas]

I'm not one of those doomsday prepper guys, but living in earthquake country means you have to be prepared when it happens.

Me too. That's why I will NOT store (any much) drinking water and not more food than I store anyway to not need to go to the city for over 2 weeks  :)  if I don't want to,

but have equipment, and try to afford to build a strong enough home with window shutters.

He would make all the big decisions and she would make all the small ones.......and so far there hadn't been any big decisions!

:hystery:

I have a bunch of Chilean friends since back when they moved to Sweden, run away from the military junta. In their culture it's normal the wife decide about home and kids, and the husband decide about things except them. So if they don't have an own company, he can decide about the car. and if they don't have a car, then they decide about nothing. Among the families I knew some, the wife was very quite and looked shy, and the man was talkative and forward, so I thought they were an exception he decided everything. They is an exception, but the opposite = She didn't even allow him to decide their car :hystery: