Survival Tips- Tyhpoon Ondoy and Other State of Emergency/Calamity

UPDATE: Sept. 29, 2009

List of Donation Centers and Assistance Centers

Google Compiled List of Donation Centers and Rental of Rubber Boat

08:34 AM – Restoration of electricity and water services to take at least a week.

08:40 AM – DepEd: Classes in NCR suspended until Wednesday

09:11 AM – Singapore/Japan Give Aid to RP

09:12 AM – 240 killed in the wake of Ondoy

09:21 AM- Napocor to release water from Angat Dam at 10am today -pre-release of water as precautionary measure of leveling the water (standard amount) since PAGASA expects a typhoon to hit Manila.

Angat Dam to release water: affected are Norzagaray, Angat, San Rafael, Bustos, Baliuag, Plaridel, Pulilan, Calumpit.

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UPDATE: Sept. 28, 2009

12:30 PM – Number coding scheme suspended for one whole week.

1:25 PM – (RP from AdeMagnaye ) Red Cross Shaw has run out of donations. Nothing to repackage. For donations, text 0917 5370265, they can pick up.

1:30 PM – Rolio Golez confirms that SMS circulating regarding opening Marikina dam is not true.  There’s no Marikina dam.

1:50 PM – 5 Cainta subdivisions still in need of relief operations.

2:06 PM – Death toll reaches 100. 

2:06 PM – China donates $10,000 to Red Cross to help victims of Ondoy.

2:09 PM – Accdg to Jun Guidote, water continue to rise in Laguna due to high tide.  Relief operations ongoing in Laguna.

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The wrath of Typhoon Ondoy devastated Metro Manila and its nearby provinces like Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Pampanga among others.

Hurricane Katrina was at 350 millimeters rainfall while Typhoon Ondoy at 412 millimeters.  The continuous downpour of 9 hours submerged most parts of the Metro including Marikina and Valenzuela.  9 hours!  Can you imagine?  Another manifestation of climate change that is really unnerving.  The documentaries on Nat Geo about Earth not surviving another million years haunt one. 

Image Source: Archiemedes Sy

My officemate Karen just told me she saw in the news a dog trying to piggy back on a man’s back but the man shoved him off for survival.  Both are trying to survive.  How heart wrenching.

No one expected that in a matter of few hours, certain areas would be submerged in floodwater.  Big houses are not spared.  Celebrities and politicians weren’t either. 

Some survival tips:

1. Stock on food at home, car, office and in your bag.  No one knows how long this climate will last or when a state of emergency happens.  It’s always better to be armed with necessary stocks at home like:

Food

Bread -gives the carbo load you need in replacement of rice.  Rice still has to be cooked.

Biscuits/cookies –alternative to bread, sugar helps relieve pangs of hunger

Candies –the sugar will help ease acidity in case there are more eminent task at hand than eating

Canned goods (like corned beef, Vienna sausage, tuna, pork and beans, chili con carne, corn) –not easily perishable and ready to eat

Instant Noodles –are also ready to eat although it’s best enjoyed cooked.  Snack on the noodles like crackers.

Bottled water

Carbonated drinks/Coffee

Items

Flashlight and Batteries

Thick Blanket/Comforters/Mattress Covers/Pillows

Jacket/Sweaters/Socks/Caps/Rain Boots

Radio and Batteries

Umbrella/Tents/Mono Block Chairs

Towels

Knife, Candles, Matches, Plastic Wares, Plastic Utensils, Napkins, Plastic Bags

Empty plastic bottles

Lifesavers/Old Tires/Styrofoam

Big Pails

Slippers

Antiseptic/First Aid Kits/Medicine bags

**If possible, keep all items in one area or fit everything in one “EMERGENCY BAG,” so it’s easy to locate and grab.

2. Unplug all appliances (particularly on the first floor) and keep a watchful eye on refrigerator and electricity outlets.

3. Always have extra cash handy.  ATMs might not be available or accessible.

4. Improvised flotation device can be made out of empty Coke/Pepsi/C2/Juice/Water plastic bottles.  Just securely tie the plastic bottles together (4-10) and it can work as a flotation device.

5. If possible, charge all equipment necessary, emergency light, mobile phones (for communication), etc. 

** UPDATE ** There are enough volunteers in Sagip Kapamilya of ABS-CBN, more donations are needed like cooked rice, bread, boiled eggs, etc.  Kindly bring donations to Sagip Kapamilya at #13 Examiner St. QC. 

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