Typhoon Haiyan

[Medic Mike]

Super Typhoon Haiyan gaining strength, heading towards Philippines

Updated 1 hour 24 minutes ago

Photo: Super Typhoon Haiyan is already packing winds of 260 kmh on November 6 at 1:30pm UTC. (Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies)

Related Story: Millions without power as Typhoon Nari exits Philippines

Related Story: Typhoon Usagi batters Taiwan and Philippines, heads for Hong Kong

Related Story: Typhoon strikes northern Philippines

 

Map: Palau

Typhoon Haiyan is intensifying as it continues to move across the northern Pacific, packing winds of up to 260 kilometres per hour and granting it 'super' status.

Forecaster Michael Ziobrol from the US National Weather Service says the typhoon is expected to affect parts of Micronesia later on Wednesday.

"It's going pretty quickly and it's going to go to Palau and south of Yap but there's a little island there with a few people called Nrulu and they're probably going to get the eye of the typhoon over them," he said.

The Palau National Emergency Management Office, NEMO, is advising the public to tune into local broadcasters for updates and to stock up on emergency supplies.

Palau's government offices and schools will remain shut until Friday.

 

Audio: Powerful typhoon bearing down on Micronesia (ABC News)

 

Mr Ziobro says many of the islands in the path of the typhoon are low-lying areas.

"Some of these little islands are not very high above the ocean so some of the wave action would be higher than atolls," he said.

US National weather service in Guam are expecting seas of around 20 feet to wash the island.

They are estimating the typhoon will pass very close to the island Kayangel at around 2am local time.

So far, there have been no deaths but some damage has been reported.

Mr Ziobro says people on the Micronesian islands should not venture out to sea due to rough waters and strong winds.

"That's very dangerous at this point," he said.

"There was a little island, Woleai, we knew they had some damage.

We haven't heard anybody getting hurt or killed so that's been fortunate for now."

'Most dangerous storm'

Haiyan is expected to reach central Philippines as a super typhoon by Friday noon local time, packing winds of 233-249 kilometres per hour, according to Michael Ziobrol.

"If people are in the Philippines, they should start preparing too, especially the central Philippines," he said.

Dr Jeff Masters, a contributor to the weather blog Wunderground, says Haiyan will likely be the most dangerous tropical cyclone to affect the Philippines this year.

Many people in the Philippines have been expressing their concerns about the impending storm on social networking site Twitter.

"Super typhoon #YolandaPH is on its way! Weekends ruined again! Keep safe everyone!"

- Rubiereen (@Reen_rivera)

"Everybody is now busy in #doomsday #prepping for Super typhoon #HAIYAN (#YolandaPH)."

- Chad Rey G. (@ReyGac8)

The typhoon will be named Yolanda when it enters the Philippines.

The country is hit by some 20 typhoons each year.

Typhoon Nari pounded the archipelago's north last month, killing 13 people.

Photo: The US Joint Typhoon Warning Center tracks Haiyan, moving west northwestwards. (US Naval Observatory)

 

Topics: disasters-and-accidents, storm-disaster, palau, philippines, pacific

[Jake]

Hey guys,

 

Had another senior moment when I forgot how a hurricane-typhoon-cyclone works.  So I had to look it up.  

To my understanding, there are no differences between the three -- only the region they affect.  In the

Indian Ocean area (cyclone), Far East area (typhoon) and south Atlantic Ocean (hurricane) -- their birth,

strength and movement are very similar.

 

There was one question I had to dig deeper: which side of a typhoon is more destructive to life-property

(hint - look at the rotation)?

 

Just askin' -- Jake 

[Medic Mike]

Typhoon Yolanda: Philippines Disaster Prevention Website Hacked as Storm Looms

 

A Philippines' government website dedicated to the prevention of national disasters has been hacked hours before a powerful typhoon was expected to hit the southeast Asian country.

Cyber pirates infiltrated the website of Dina, a new web service by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and redirected visitors to a porn website.

"A server where we upload was hacked," said council executive director Eduardo del Rosario. The website is still not accessible.

Del Rosario said the local branch of hacktivist group Anonymous could have been behind the disruption, PhilStar newspaper reported.

Anonymous Philippines said that it had attacked several government websites as part of a global protest against internet censorship and corruption.

The website was hacked on the very same day it was launched. It is supposed to provide Filipinos with real-time information about natural threats including cyclones, tsunami, floods, landslides and fires, as well as safety advices on how to prepare and face the disasters.

"It would educate the general public on disaster preparedness, through these visual aids our people will be able to know what to do before, during and after the advent of a hazard or emergency," Del Rosario told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Yolanda, was making its way towards the central Philippines. It was expected to make landfall on Friday.

The typhoon was over the Pacific Ocean, some 900km east of the city of Hinatuan on the southern island of Mindanao, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

With wind speeds of 195km/h gusting up to 230km/h Yolanda was moving northwest at 30km/h.

The government said evacuation centres and emergency relief resources, including more than 80,000 family food packs, had been prepared.

Schools have been closed in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Albay while civil defence forces were on alert in metropolitan Manila and other provinces. 

 

 

 

Edited November 6, 2013 by Medic Mike

[Medic Mike]

Visayas Coast Guard heightens alert, monitoring

 

 

 

 

Thursday, November 7, 2013

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Visayas Command directed all coast guard stations and sub-stations to give regular advisories, particularly to operators of fishing boats and motorized bancas, during the coming super-typhoon Yolanda.

Commodore William Melad, commander of the Coast Gurad District Central Visayas, said the fisherfolks must stop fishing. He also advised the people in various islands and islets to stay at home.

“Likewise, I have directed them (coast guard personnel)to prepare their respective disaster response teams. We will advise all shipping companies in Central Visayas to plan out their trips with due consideration to the impending weather disturbance,” Melad said.

Shelter

Chester Cokaliong, president and chief executive officer of Cokaliong Shipping Lines, said their vessels will take shelter away from the typhoon path.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has implemented the necessary precautions to minimize the impact of super-typhoon Yolanda on its operations and facilities.

Elmer Cruz of the NGCP corporate communications department said the preparations included ensuring the reliability of communications equipment and the availability of hardware materials and supplies necessary for the repair of damage to facilities.

“We are also positioning our line crews in strategic areas, to facilitate immediate restoration work,” Cruz said.

He said the NGCP’s Integrated Disaster Action Plan (IDAP) prescribes these and other procedures to ensure the readiness of all power transmission facilities expected to be affected by the passage of the typhoon,” Cruz said.

On the other hand, General Manager Gannymede Tiu of Cebu Electric Cooperative 2 said it is their standard operating procedure (SOP) that their contingency plan is always connected to concern Local Government Units (LGUs).

According to the Cebeco 2 contingency plan, once the typhoon comes, engineers should not touch the power lines. After the typhoon, there will be damage assessment survey to determine the extent of damage and what materials are needed for the restoration work.

“We already distributed survey forms in advance to the consumers, Cebeco engineers and local officials so they can immediately jot down any damages in power lines and facilities in their respective areas,” Tiu said.

The contingency materials include electrical wires, posts and hardware.

“If the supplies in our position are not enough, we will call our suppliers to deliver,” Tiu said.

Tiu said that if a power transformer in an area will fail, Cebeco has a load transfer system to prevent power outage.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO), on the other hand, is still awaiting announcements from LGUs and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council for their preparations.

“LTO will be providing any assistance deemed necessary to all concerned,” said LTO 7
Director Arnel Tancinco.

Advice

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCD) advised consumers to store water for household use for the next 72 hours if in case its facilities will be affected.

“For drinking purposes, make sure your containers are clean and have covers (to avoid illness),” said MCWD corporate communications manager Charmaine Rodriguez.

For its part, the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) said it will suspend operations at Cebu International Port tonight so they will have time to secure its cargo handling equipment.

This means, ocean-going vessels delivering imported goods or foreign vessels, which will bring export goods to other countries will have no operations.

Col. Oscar Lopez, manager for port safety and security, said the piles of container vans will be at the two-level maximum.

At the domestic port, Lopez said vessels will be allowed to dock but will not be allowed to conduct operations.

 

Edited November 6, 2013 by Medic Mike

[Fred & Mimi]

To my understanding, there are no differences between the three -- only the region they affect.  In the Indian Ocean area (cyclone),

 

A cyclone rotates in a clockwise direction and a typhoon in an anti-clockwise direction and they both seem to move east to west. This changes where the most destructive winds hit land. Thats probably the only difference I can see Jake

[Fred & Mimi]

Anyone experiencing any bad weather yet? Here in Argao its just hot overcast and mostly still. No ocean surge to speak of...flat as. Wonder how close the typhoon has to be to get the effects?

[Medic Mike]

Typhoon Yolanda gains strength; 6 areas under Signal No. 3

 

 

Thursday, November 7, 2013

MANILA (Updated 3:39 p.m.) -- Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) has gained strength while moving closer to the Philippines, and the state weather bureau said it is expected to make landfall over Guiuan, Eastern Samar around 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday.

On Twitter, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that as of 1 p.m. Thursday, the eye of the typhoon was spotted 644 kilometers (km) southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

Yolanda is packing winds of about 215 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kph. It is moving west northwestward at 30 kph.

Related articles

• Signal No. 4 up in 5 provinces; Yolanda accelerates
• Cebu suspends work in private, public offices
• 'Yolanda' intensifies further; storm signals up in 36 areas
• Northern Mindanao braces for Typhoon Yolanda
• 'Yolanda' barrels toward Visayas

Typhoon Yolanda is the second cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in November and the 24th this year.

Pagasa weather forecasters said that "after hitting Guiuan, Yolanda is expected to traverse the provinces of Leyte, Biliran, Northern tip of Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Romblon, Semirara Island, Southern part of Mindoro, then Busuanga."

"It will exit the Philippine landmass (Saturday Morning) toward the West Philippine Sea," it added.

Satellite image of Typhoon Yolanda as of 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 7, 2013. (Source: Pagasa)

Storm warning signals

Signal Number 3 (Winds of 101 -185 kph is expected in at least 18 hours):

Visayas
-Eastern Samar
-Samar
-Leyte
-Southern Leyte

Mindanao
-Siargao Island
-Dinagat Province

Signal Number 2 (Winds of 61-100 kph is expected in at least 24 hours):

Luzon
-Sorsogon
-Masbate, including Ticao Island

Visayas
-Northern Samar
-Biliran Province
-Bantayan and Camotes Islands
-Northern Cebu including Cebu City
-Bohol

Mindanao
-Surigao Del Norte
-Camiguin
-Surigao Del Sur
-Agusan Del Norte

Signal Number 1 (Winds of 30-60 kph is expected in at least 36 hours):

Luzon
-Camarines Norte
-Camarines Sur
-Catanduanes
-Albay
-Mindoro Provinces
-Burias Island
-Romblon
-Marinduque
-Calamian Group of Island
-Southern Quezon

Visayas
-Aklan
-Capiz
-Iloilo
-Antique
-Guimaras
-Negros Occidental and Oriental
-the rest of Cebu and Siquijor

Mindanao
-Misamis Oriental
-Agusan del Sur

[Coast Guard Deputy Lt. JG Janus Sabas giving updates on the cancellation of trips]

Other agencies' forecast

The US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) said that Yolanda will remain as a supertyphoon before it makes landfall within the next 24 hours. After it makes landfall, it is expected to weaken as it tracks the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Meanwhile, the Japan Meteorological Agency classifies the cyclone as a "violent" weather disturbance, with around 115 knots (212 kilometers per hour or kph) maximum sustained winds and gustiness of 165 knots (up to 306 kph).

Killer typhoon

Pagasa said Yolanda is the largest cyclone to enter PAR this year, with 600 kilometers diameter -- almost as huge as Visayas.

The state weather bureau added that it contains heavy to intense rainfall within its 600-kilometer diameter.

Pagasa weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said that people living in areas where public storm warning is raised can expect flash floods and landslides.

"Inaasahan po natin 'tong bagyo na 'to na heavy to intense rainfall, so 10-30 millimeters kada oras. So talagang magkakaroon tayo ng
pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa," Aurelio said.

Aurelio also added that public storm warning signals will be raised over Metro Manila and other nearby provinces in Luzon once Yolanda is within the vicinity of Mindoro by Friday evening.

"Bukas (Friday) ng gabi, mararamdaman natin ang epekto ng bagyo dito sa Metro Manila. Maaari tayong magtaas ng (storm) signal, pwedeng Signal No. 1 or 2. So kasama 'yung mga light to moderate rain at malakas na hanging dala ng bagyo," Aurelio said.

He explained that the country will experience improve weather condition by Sunday morning once Yolanda is already out of PAR. "Sunday pa ng umaga inaasahan natin ang pag ganda ng panahon," Aurelio said.

Gale warning

Pagasa also issued a gale warning over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon, and the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon.

Pagasa said that the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon, including Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan, northern coast of Cagayan, northern coast of Ilocos Norte, Isabela and eastern coast of Isabela, will have rough to very rough seas.

The eastern seaboard of Central Luzon, particularly in Aurora, will also have rough to very rough seas.

"Fishing boats and other small sea crafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," said Pagasa. (With reports from SFP/John Carlo Cahinhinan/Sunnex)

 

Edited November 7, 2013 by Medic Mike

[Medic Mike]

Philippines Hunkers Down as Yolanda Gets Stronger Before Landfall: Track Typhoon Path, Rescue and Evacuation

 

 

By arjun varma | November 7, 2013 8:02 PM EST

Super typhoon Yolanda is the strongest storm of 2013 (Photo: Reuters)

Super typhoon Yolanda, the strongest and most dangerous storm to form on the planet this year, is heading towards the Philippine coast for a Friday morning landfall packing monster winds and posing serious threat to several areas in the central regions of the country.

Typhoon Yolanda, also kown as Haiyan, packs maximum sustained winds of around 268 km per hour (kph) and gusts reaching 324 kph as it slams into the Samar-Leyte area Friday morning, the US military's weather bureau said.

The gust speeds at this range can potentially can cause bigger damage than the monster typhoon Pablo in 2012, which killed more than 1,000 people. Super typhoon Pablo had 259 kph sustained winds and 314 km per hour gusts when it hit Mindanao in December 2012, according to the Hawaii-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) run by the US Navy and Air Force.

Pablo had flattened three coastal towns on the southern island of Mindanao and destroyed crops, property and infrastructure worth £650mn.

Yolanda Landfall and Vulnerable Areas

Yolanda will make landfall over Guiuan, Eastern Samar, between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Friday and move past the Philippines on 10 November. According to weather forecasts by Pagasa, "after hitting Guiuan, Yolanda is expected to pass through the provinces of Leyte, Biliran, Northern tip of Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Romblon, Semirara Island, Southern part of Mindoro, then Busuanga."

In its 11 am bulletin on 7 November, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that as of 10 a.m. the eye of the typhoon was spotted 637 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

Typhoon Yolanda is the second massive storm to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in November and the 24th this year. For tracking the storm and for the latest information, click here.

Evacuation, Relief and Rescue

Authorities have shut down transportation and schools in areas where the storm threatens to cause maximum damage. They have said they are aiming for zero casualties and that local disaster agencies have been asked to start evacuating people from coastal and low-lying areas as well as those in landslide-prone areas.

"The provincial government is rushing the distribution of additional tents and other relief goods for those who are still staying in open spaces in makeshift tents. All municipal mayors are under orders to conduct pre-emptive evacuation of residents still staying near river banks and mountain slopes as the rains could trigger landslides and flooding," said Tootsie Escobia, spokesman of the Bohol provincial government.

The island of Bohol is epsecially vulnerable as it was devastated by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in October 2012. The quake claimed the lives of at least 200 people and the latest typhoon threatens to destroy more houses.

Army, police and paramilitary forces have been pressed into service in high-alert areas and are bracing for any eventuality. People have been warned of floods, landslides and severe gusts and have been advised to stay in the strongest structure available in their areas.

According to the Philippine Information Agency, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the local government units (LGUs) along the path of Yolanda are undertaking precautionary measures to face the possible impact of the storm.

DSWD has prepositioned over £2,700,000 worth of emergency relief resources that include over £480,000 standby funds, 84,703 family food packs amounting to over £3100,00, and other food and non-food items at over £1,900,000 for the regions within the typhoon path.

Repacking of additional 25,000 family food packs is ongoing at the DSWD-National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City. DSWD is also coordinating with different partners for the land, air and sea transport of relief resources.

Helpline Numbers for Emergency Contact

PAGASA - Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration: (02) 433- ULAN (433-8526)
NDRRMC - National Disaster Risk Reduction and Mangement Council: (02) 911-1406, (02) 912-2665
MMDA - Metro Manila Development Authority: 136
DPWH - Department of Public Works and Highway: (02) 304-3713
DOTC - Department of Transportation and Communication: 7890, (0918) 884-8484
Philippine Red Cross: 143, (02) 911-1876

Prayers

Even as various government and provincial authorities have launched massive evacuation and relief operations, people living in highly vulnerable regions, such as the Negros Occidental, Bicol and Visayas, are praying to god to calm the monster typhoon Yolanda and spare their lives and properties.

"We implore You to embrace us, the Bicol and Visayas Region and calm Typhoon Yolanda as you did with your disciples at the middle of the sea," a prayer circulating in Negros Occidental said, according to a local newspaper.

Philippine Red Cross also issued its "Survival Tips" before, during and after the typhoon.

To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail: a.varma@ibtimes.co.uk

 

Edited November 7, 2013 by Medic Mike

[Medic Mike]

Super typhoon heads for Philippines

 

A super typhoon packing winds of up to 250 kilometres per hour is heading for a densely populated part of the central Philippines where 10 million people are panic buying and preparing to take shelter.

Weather forecasters describe the typhoon codenamed Haiyan as a "beast" that could whip-up a huge storm surge along the southern coasts of southern Luzon and Samar islands, causing widespread damage.

The typhoon is expected to make landfall early on Friday morning Philippine time as a category five, the strongest possible typhoon.

Panic buying has been reported in many areas, including on Cebu island, a key industrial and tourist hub.

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Schools are closed and emergency shelters have been prepared.

Many residents likely to be affected on the island of Bohol are still in shelters after their homes were destroyed in an October 15 earthquake that killed more than 200 people. In December 2012 a similar sized typhoon called Bopha caused hundreds of deaths on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.

Lynette Lim from Save the Children said thousands of children and their families could be made homeless as houses are damaged or destroyed.

"We're especially concerned about children as they are smaller and more easily swept away in flood," Ms Lim said.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/super-typhoon-heads-for-philippines-20131107-2x3vf.html#ixzz2jx7wLb9L

 

Edited November 7, 2013 by Medic Mike

[Fred & Mimi]

Samar, Eastern Samar signal strength 3...it has to hit in one of the poorest areas of the Philippines. Bruce will have his work cut out for him poor soul