Satellite image as of August 24, 5 pm. Image courtesy of NOAA

Typhoon Jolina

We experience more than a couple of Typhoons here in the Philippines every year. The most recent to hit is Jolina which intensified to a tropical depression on Thursday, August 24.

Signal number 1 has been raised in the following areas:

• Southern Cagayan
• Isabela
• Northern Aurora

PAGASA said Jolina is expected to further intensify into a tropical storm before making landfall in the Isabela-Aurora area by Friday evening, August 25, or early Saturday morning, August 26.

Northern Luzon should watch out for possible flash floods and landslides.

There will also be light to heavy rain in the rest of Luzon and the Visayas, though these areas won’t be directly affected by Jolina.

Jolina is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Sunday, August 27.

What To Before, During, After

Before the Typhoon:

• Store an adequate supply of food and clean water
• Prepare foods that need not be cooked.
• Keep flashlights, candles and battery-powered radios within easy reach.
• Examine your house and repair its unstable parts.
• Always keep yourself updated with the latest weather report.
• Harvest crops that can be yielded already.
• Secure domesticated animals in a safe place.
• For fisher folks, place boats in a safe area.
• Should you need to evacuate, bring clothes, first aid kit, candles/flashlight, battery-powered radio, food, etc. 

During the Typhoon:

• Stay inside the house.
• Always keep yourself updated with the latest weather report.
• If safe drinking water is not available, boil water for at least 20 minutes. Place it in a container with cover.
• Keep an eye on lighted candles or gas lamps.
• Do not wade through floodwaters to avoid being electrocuted and contracting diseases.
• If there is a need to move to an evacuation center, follow these reminders.
• Evacuate calmly.
• Close the windows and turn off the main power switch.
• Put important appliances and belongings in a high ground.
• Avoid the way leading to the river.

After the Typhoon:

• If your house was destroyed, make sure that it is already safe and stable when you enter.
• Beware of dangerous animals such as snakes that may have entered your house
• Watch out for live wires or outlet immersed in water.
• Report damaged electrical cables and fallen electric posts to the authorities.
• Do not let water accumulate in tires, cans or pots to avoid creating a favorable condition for mosquito breeding.

(From the Philippine National Red Cross Website)

It is important to be aware of the situation. The reports we get from weather forecasts allow us to prepare and be ready for any unforeseen events that may happen during a typhoon. Although it is good that we’ll have a long weekend, sometimes, it’s better and safer to stay in the confines of our homes.

Hope this helps and feel free to share to the people you care about! Cheers!

About The Author

Cathy spends part of her days wondering how to combine her 2 loves, writing and photography. The rest of her time she spends taking care of her two babies. Sheena, a Labrador retriever & Amanda, a Siberian husky. She’s been an OLEIA user since May.