mother of all typoons

[tiger31]

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/mtsat/wpac/flash-ir2.html take a look at the size of this thing if it stays on tract it will be bang centre of the eye over my head .never prayed before BUT :yikes:

[grahamw48]

Blimey. :cwm24:

Batten down the hatches mate, and stay safe. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[jake]

There seems to be a change in the weather pattern as it is rare for typhoons to hit the south.
This is the first year since i have lived here that a typhoon hasn't come close to where we live :Erm:


Flush your toilet and collect as much water as you can Brian :wink: You will be fine :smile:

[tiger31]

There seems to be a change in the weather pattern as it is rare for typhoons to hit the south.
This is the first year since i have lived hear that a typhoon hasn't come close to where we live :Erm:


Flush your toilet and collect as much water as you can Brian :wink: You will be fine :smile:
lol my bro n law owns a water fillin station so ive got 5 x 5 gallon bottles ready

[jake]

lol my bro n law owns a water fillin station so ive got 5 x 5 gallon bottles ready

:xxgrinning--00xx3:

Collect it early as i have left it too late in the past :cwm3: One week without electricity is fine. A week without water :NoNo:

Am watching the news and its turning right... oh no!!

[tiger31]

:xxgrinning--00xx3:

Collect it early as i have left it to late in the past :cwm3: One week without electricity is fine. A week without water :NoNo:

Am watching the news and its turning right... oh no!!

I think your well clear of it ya might get some heavy rain tho

[Moy]

is this hit Mindanao? :doh:NoNo:hope not :cwm3:

[tiger31]

is this hit Mindanao? :doh:NoNo:hope not :cwm3:
maybe only the northern tip possibly surigow area

[SimonH]

Scheduled to hit Manila on Friday

http://blogs.wsj.com/searealtime/2013/11/06/philippines-braces-for-super-typhoon/


Keep safe :smile:

[chrisincebu]

Glad i went to Manila today for my CNI conversion then. Just gotta get down to the fiance's local town and back for Marriage License application before it hits....:Bolt:

[Terpe]

Full alert for Typhoon Yolanda (Codename Haiyan)

http://static.rappler.com/images/yolanda.jpg

The Department of Transportation and Communications ( DOTC) and all its attached agencies are now on full status alert in anticipation of Typhoon Yolanda (international code: Typhoon Haiyan), which could be the strongest tropical cyclone to hit the country this year.

Typhoon Yolanda is expected to hit the Samar-Leyte area on Friday, November 8, between 12 noon and 3 pm. As of 11 pm Wednesday, 12 areas in the Visayas and Mindanao were already placed under Signal No. 1

In a statement on Wednesday, November 6, DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said his department was on Level 3 alert to reduce the possibility of loss and injury that the typhoon is expected to cause.

“Safety is always our priority. We want to have the least number of casualties possible, and we placed all transport agencies on Full Alert Status precisely to ensure that,” Abaya said.

The status means conducting increased safety inspections, enhancing provisions for affected passengers, and deploying patrol vehicles and quick response teams.

The Philippine Coast Guard, an attached agency of the DOTC, deployed 40 rubber boats and 30 aluminum boats in the Visayas substations for emergency rescue operations.

Transport agencies were also set to secure vessels and aircrafts at ports and airports. They were closely monitoring the situation to decide whether trips should be suspended or cancelled.

The DOTC will provide real-time information to the public as the typhoon approaches and intensifies. It reminded transport operators to do the same.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has directed local government units ( LGUs) to activate their respective disaster risk reduction and management councils as Typhoon Yolanda approached.

Some LGUs have already announced class suspensions for Thursday, November 7, in anticipation of the strong typhoon

Source:-
http://www.rappler.com/business/43056-dotc-full-alert-typhoon-yolanda

[Terpe]

12 Vis-Min areas now under Signal No. 1

State weather bureau Pagasa has placed 12 provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao under Signal Number 1 because of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), according to its 11 pm bulletin.

"The typhoon east of Mindanao is about to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and will be named "Yolanda," read the 11 pm bulletin.

The Visayas provinces are:
•Northern Samar
•Eastern Samar
•Samar
•Leyte
•Southern Leyte
•Biliran Island
•Camotes Island

The Mindanao provinces are:
•Surigao del Norte, including Siargao Island
•Dinagat Island
•Surigao del Sur
•Agusan del Norte
•northern part of Agusan del Sur

As of 12 am Thursday, November 7, the eye of the typhoon was located at 943 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. It packed maximum sustained winds of 195 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph. It is moving west northwest at 30 kph.

A little past midnight, moderate to occasional heavy rains were already affecting the provinces of Surigao Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur, Agusan Del Norte, Zamboanga City, and Basilan.

http://static.rappler.com/images/tcsatpic1130.jpg


The 12 areas will expect in the next 36 hours 30-60 kph winds, according to the bulletin. These winds may cause twigs and branches of trees to be broken, banana plants to tilt or land flat on the ground, rice in flowering stage to suffer significant damage, and nipa and cogon houses to be partially unroofed.

Sea travel is risky for small seacrafts and fishing boats over the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas.

Typhoon Yolanda is expected to move 55 kilometers to southeast area of Romblon Island by Friday evening, November 8, and 527 kilometers West Northwest of Coron, Palawan, by Saturday evening.

The next bulletin will be issued 5 am Thursday, November 7

Source:-
http://www.rappler.com/nation/special-coverage/weather-alert/43076-20131106-philippines-yolanda-pm-update

[Doc Alan]

I’m sure everyone living in or with any connections to the Philippines is anxiously watching the progress of this typhoon, the 25th to affect the country, in which until now the average has been around 20 a year.


Those not in its expected path must be hoping for the best, and to those likely to be affected directly our thoughts are with you. All we can do right now is hope it will be less severe than expected and stay positive.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/07/world/asia/philippines-typhoon-haiyan/


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24846813

[tiger31]

I’m sure everyone living in or with any connections to the Philippines is anxiously watching the progress of this typhoon, the 25th to affect the country, in which until now the average has been around 20 a year.


Those not in its expected path must be hoping for the best, and to those likely to be affected directly our thoughts are with you. All we can do right now is hope it will be less severe than expected and stay positive.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/07/world/asia/philippines-typhoon-haiyan/


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24846813
less severe your having a laugh doc lol have you seen the size of the thing its headed straight for me lol

[SimonH]

less severe your having a laugh doc lol have you seen the size of the thing its headed straight for me lol

Get down to Maccy D's now to stock up :wink:

[tiger31]

Get down to Maccy D's now to stock up :wink:
well my ol man kindly sent me a link of jamie olivers documentry telling how their burgers are made and kinda gone off them now lol what am gonna do now hahaha

[RickyR]

If your in a solid house away from areas which easily flood or landside, you should be fine. I pity people in areas where deforestation has occured on hillsides or building has taken place on floodplains without adequate drainage. I've never been through any big typhoons on land, but have been through them at sea (which is actually far safer/better then you'd expect unless you suffer from seasickness).
I remember when Marvie and the kids got flooded out by Ondoy, that was a nightmare. Here in Oman they had a typhoon a few years ago that killed quite a few because they underestimated drainage here in the sandpit.

Hopefully Tiger and Fred will be out for beers on Saturday, we are thinking of you guys (as well as our families and many other filipinos) tonight and tomorrow.

[fred]

Cheers Ricky.. Just finished putting fishing net over most of roof ..(125 meters X 12fft wide)
The rain is hammering down now which I`m pleased about as we don't get much rain here in Bohol..Next week the garden will look marvelous!
The storm seems to have moved North a bit and they are saying we should expect a signal No.2 here in Bohol which is good news considering how many people on the main island of Bohol are still roughing it in tents because of the recent earthquake.. Still not looking forward to the brown out tomorrow though!!
Cheers,
fred.

Brian..Look forward to your posts in a few days..
You`ll be fine!!

[tiger31]

our power is getting switched off in half an hour to prepare for the typhoon slamming into us so goodnight folks don,t know when we will be back online :Wave:

[SimonH]

Stay safe mate :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Doc Alan]

less severe your having a laugh doc lol have you seen the size of the thing its headed straight for me lol

Far from having a laugh, I am anxiously following the progress of the typhoon, like everyone else, and repeat my best wishes to you.

[anvee]

it is now raining moderate in Batangas (Luzon) we will have the last battering of the Typhoon. Oh the winds and the rain! Be safe everyone please.

[tiger31]

Far from having a laugh, I am anxiously following the progress of the typhoon, like everyone else, and repeat my best wishes to you.
very good well i,m still alive lol tomoro is when the action begins for me

[les_taxi]

Hope you're safe Tiger don't want you having to spend my future winnings on Repairs :biggrin: (I'm all heart)
Seriously keep safe :xxgrinning--00xx3:

http://typhoonstormwatch2012.blogspot.co.uk/

[Terpe]

This thing is 'bigger' than anyone has predicted.

BBC news has reported windspeeds between 200-400kmh and surge waves at 15m :yikes:
I don't think I can sleep easy tonight.
My extended family has really suffered hugely these past couple of years already.

BBC says Bolhol looks to be on target for the worst conditions.

[fred]

This thing is 'bigger' than anyone has predicted.

BBC news has reported windspeeds between 200-400kmh and surge waves at 15m :yikes:
I don't think I can sleep easy tonight.
My extended family has really suffered hugely these past couple of years already.

BBC says Bolhol looks to be on target for the worst conditions.

Not the worst Terpe as it is tracking North of us.. Still signal 2/3 though.

http://weather.com.ph/images/20131106232809.gif

[Terpe]

Not the worst Terpe as it is tracking North of us.. Still signal 2/3 though.

http://weather.com.ph/images/20131106232809.gif

I very happy to see you're still online fred :Jump::Jump:

Hope you can keep us updated from time to time.

I'm watching the BBC reports and other TFC reports and it's disturbing for us.

There's some very scary stats getting broadcast.

Many thanks fred for the update.

[Ako Si Jamie]

Just been on Cathay's website. Flights from Hong Kong to Cebu will be delayed but one's to Manila are OK.

Hope for everyone's sake this typhoon doesn't cause too much grief. Fingers crossed.

[gWaPito]

This thing is 'bigger' than anyone has predicted.

BBC news has reported windspeeds between 200-400kmh and surge waves at 15m :yikes:
I don't think I can sleep easy tonight.
My extended family has really suffered hugely these past couple of years already.

BBC says Bolhol looks to be on target for the worst conditions.

This is unimaginable. ..I remember our storm in 87....The wife was in bed with our 2 toddlers. ..she said it was like God trying His hardest to take our roof off our tough old Victorian house. ..those were 125mph winds. ..The same 200kms wind speed as predicted in The Philippines ..Goodness knows what hell they will be put through over there in the coming hours

My prayers will be with you all

[grahamw48]

Take care all of our friends and relations. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

195mph gusts out at sea. :cwm24:

Live blog....

.
https://twitter.com/ExtremeStorms

[grahamw48]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/11/07/philippines-typhoon/3465779/

[gWaPito]

Hope you're safe Tiger don't want you having to spend my future winnings on Repairs :biggrin: (I'm all heart)
Seriously keep safe :xxgrinning--00xx3:

http://typhoonstormwatch2012.blogspot.co.uk/

That's the best link I've come across...Thanks Les

The 'Super Typhoon 5' storm looks even more frightening when viewing on live sat

[gWaPito]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/11/07/philippines-typhoon/3465779/

Thanks Graham...I feel sick thinking about this.

I was shocked to read that The Philippines have on average 20 typhoons each year. That's winds upwards of 75mph. I've just learn't that from your link

No wonder greater parts of the Phils look like war zones, they must be continually in the throws of getting straight just as the next one blows in.

[Ako Si Jamie]

I think only half of those typhoons actually reach land.

[SimonH]

Any news from members in the Philippines?
Hope you're all safe and well :xxgrinning--00xx3: News headlines this morning was reporting 3 deaths as well as numerous landslides.

[SimonH]

Huge seas in Palawan now with winds up to 313 km/h

[grahamw48]

It looks terrible on the the news programmes this morning.

I feel so sorry for the people there.

[raynaputi]

We're currently in Cavite, and it went very dark by 4pm and heavy rains! :omg:

[Terpe]

This is a photo from much earlier but shows landfall as Samar Island withe the centre of the eye right over Dulag.
Tacloban City just on the outer edge.

http://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/881999_10202515455267189_1096815428_o.jpg

This is really a monster. Usually once landfall is made the intensity falls....in this case the reports suggest the opposite and the storm intensified.

If the reports are correct the storm may be moving reasonable quickly so theoretically the flood effects due to intensive rainfall may not be as bad as initially projected.

[RickyR]

I looks incredibly severe. I've never seen such a well formed and intense storm on infra red satellite pictures before, this is the perfect/worst storm. I really am also concerned for friends and family in the path.

[Terpe]

Interactive map
(http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/?lat=9.3&lon=131.1&zoom=6&rad=0&wxsn=0&svr=0&cams=0&sat=0&riv=0&mm=0&hur=1&hur.wr=0&hur.cod=1&hur.fx=1&hur.obs=1&fire=0&ft=0&sl=0
)

[Terpe]

I looks incredibly severe. I've never seen such a well formed and intense storm on infra red satellite pictures before, this is the perfect/worst storm. I really am also concerned for friends and family in the path.

Super Typhoon Haiyan Just Broke All Scientific Intensity Scales, 500 Miles Wide, 236 MPH Winds (Live Stream)

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/195n0ib5pf0pljpg/ku-xlarge.jpg

Source:-
http://beforeitsnews.com/weather/2013/11/super-typhoon-haiyan-just-broke-all-scientific-intensity-scales-2441868.html

[gWaPito]

I'll praying more than usual today..Thanks Terpe for the time and effort you put in here

[Michael Parnham]

Yes Peter, once again thanks, great job! :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Terpe]

Yes Peter, once again thanks, great job! :xxgrinning--00xx3:

I'm not doing anything that others aren't doing.............just reporting on this massive storm.
Today's media and satellite communications makes early warnings accurate and available.
Thousands of lives can be saved and storm structures can be better understood.

In the past couple of years my extended family have been severely impacted.
Looks like those relatives living in Bohol may have been spared the 'eye' of the storm.

Those living in Tacloban City are in our prayers. Fortunately they all now live in 'concrete' houses......just hope they somehow managed to save their roofing which is mostly tin.

Searching out as much information as I can is my way of coping with the anxiety I currently feel.

[Doc Alan]

I'm sure we all share your anxiety Peter, and thanks to everyone here who is keeping us updated :xxgrinning--00xx3:. For once the BBC is giving this news the prominence it deserves.

[KeithD]

Live news from Manila .... it missed me :cwm25:

No news from the hit parts though as power and communications are down. We won't know the truth until Sunrise, but the storm surge looked just as bad as the tsunami that hit Japan. It'll be the poor who get hit the hardest as usual.

[Terpe]

Here's a video that's just turned up on YouTube.

Not sure what these people are doing, or even where the video was taken.

It does show the power in the waves and what could happen in the event of a 'rogue' wave.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=zG8ONnmQTf8

[Terpe]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnWkFnUUwvw&feature=player_detailpage

[imagine]

9.20 pm manila, cianta time, been much cooler today a welcome cool breeze and some rain,as yet nothing to write home about,lets see how the night goes:biggrin:

[Terpe]

9.20 pm manila, cianta time, been much cooler today a welcome cool breeze and some rain,as yet nothing to write home about,lets see how the night goes:biggrin:

Manila is unlikely to see any real impacts. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[gWaPito]

According to the latest CNN reports, Bolhol would of been hit. ..I'm feeling for Brian right now. ..he's spent his hard earned on that house of his. ..I sure hope freds fishing nets holds his roof together. ..doesn't bear thinking about

[cheekee]

The last time I spoke to my fiance was at 10:00 am this morning. No power now and cant get through on her home phone. She did say Cebu was very windy and the rain was heavy where she is but they were safe at that time. Just a bad leaking roof :(

[cheekee]

Just feeling anxious that I cant get through to her :(

[gWaPito]

Just feeling anxious that I cant get through to her :(

I can imagine cheekie....I remember when I couldn't get through to my first filipina wife ( not the present! ! my girlfriend at the time ) for over 2 weeks....I was Goin out of my mind with worry. .....I needn't of bothered....she was with another boyfriend on holiday. ...at least she was safe :biggrin::xxgrinning--00xx3:

[SimonH]

Just feeling anxious that I cant get through to her :(

Pretty sure the worst of it had passed by 10.00am so it's probably just a line down so nothing to worry about :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[cheekee]

I can imagine cheekie....I remember when I couldn't get through to my filipina wife ( my girlfriend at the time ) for over 2 weeks....I was Goin out of my mind with worry. .....I needn't of bothered....she was with another boyfriend on holiday. ...at least she was safe :biggrin::xxgrinning--00xx3:

Thank you. And I'm just so sorry that things ended up the way they did for you.

[cheekee]

Pretty sure the worst of it had passed by 10.00am so it's probably just a line down so nothing to worry about :xxgrinning--00xx3:

Thank you. I am sure you are right :)

[cheekee]

Just received Facebook message. She is ok :).

[Terpe]

Yolanda goes 'island hopping,' makes 5 landfalls

http://static.rappler.com/images/track-yolanda-20131108-2am.gif

He has lost sleep but certainly not his humor. To illustrate the extent of super typhoon Yolanda, state weather bureau PAGASA officer in charge Vicente Malano referred to its movement as "island hopping."

"Yolanda made 5 landfalls," Malano said in a briefing Friday afternoon, November 8. "It is island hopping," he added. (READ: Wrap: Monster winds, giant waves)

Triggering giant waves and monster winds, Yolanda is considered by weather experts as perhaps one of the world's most powerful typhoons in the past century. (READ: Most powerful 2013 storm hits PH)

An average of 20 typhoons visit the Philippines every year. But they usually hit landmass, make one landfall and then slow down as it moves away. It is considered a landfall if the eyewall of the typhoon hits land. It is at the eyewall that the winds are strongest.

In the case of Yolanda, the super typhoon hit the island provinces of the Visayas, gathering more "energy" as it hit waters in between, Malano said.

The first landfall happened in Guiuan town of Easter Samar at 4:40 am Friday. The second occurred in Tolosa town of Leyte at 7 am, while the third landfall was in Daang Bantayan in Cebu at 10 am. Yolanda made its fourth landfall in Bantayan Island also in Cebu at 10:40 am and the fifth in Concepcion town in Iloilo at 12 noon.

Yolanda will also pass through Boracay island of Aklan, Semirara of Antique, and San Jose of Mindoro before its projected exit in Busuanga, Palawan on Saturday morning, November 9.

A possible 6th landfall may happen in Calamian Group of Islands located at the northern tip of Palawan if the track doesn't change, according to PAGASA forecaster Rene Paciente.

Yolanda is expected to exit the country's landmass around 10 pm Friday towards the West Philippine Sea. It will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility 10 am Saturday.

Malano recalled a similar typhoon that hit the Philippines in 1990. Typhoon Ruping, which also hit Leyte and Samar, killed 508 people and injured over a thousand.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director Eduardo Del Rosario said Filipinos are a lot more prepared now than in the '90s in terms of mitigating disaster

Source:-
http://www.rappler.com/nation/43215-yolanda-landfalls-pagasa

[Terpe]

12 ways to stay safe during a typhoon

http://static.rappler.com/images/yolandaph-legazpi-20131108-epa.jpg
Residents of areas in the path of Super Typhoon Yolanda must brace for disease and other health hazards it brings

Typhoons and floods bring with them a spectrum of health hazards, from electrocutions to snakebites, and from leptospirosis to food poisoning.

The Department of Health lists the following tips to help those experiencing the brunt of Super Typhoon Yolanda (international codename Haiyan) stay safe.

1. Don't leave the house unless absolutely necessary. Children should be prohibited from playing in the rain or flood to prevent contracting leptospirosis and other water-borne diseases.
2. With Yolanda's strong winds, those outdoors should watch out for flying objects or debris.
3. Do not use gas or electrical appliances that have been flooded.
4. Protect food and water from contaminants by keeping them in sealed containers. Food should be well-cooked.
5. To ensure that water is safe for drinking, boil it for 3 minutes or chlorinate it.
6. Stay away from places that will likely be inundated by rising water or waves such as beaches and riverbanks. Stay away from landslide-prone areas.
7. When evacuation is necessary, switch off your home's main power supply, place appliances and belongings on higher locations and close windows before leaving.
8. Wear warm and dry clothing.
9. Consult a doctor immediately once you or any member of your household shows symptoms of disease to prevent infecting others in the evacuation center. Common diseases or infections that spread in evacuation centers are coughs and colds, acute gastroenteritis, skin and eye infections, measles, dengue, leptospirosis and hepatitis A.
10. Properly dispose of all waste.
11. Wash your hands before and after eating and using the toilet.
12. Stay away from hanging wires and unstable structures (damaged houses, bridges, ports near rough waters, etc).

Meanwhile, Assistant Health Secretary Eric Tayag assured the public that DOH teams are on standby for relief and medical operations for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda

Source:-
http://www.rappler.com/nation/43248-safety-health-tips-typhoon

[KeithD]

OK. We went out at 9pm, about 20 miles south of Manila, lots of trees down already, roads blocked, and we never even noticed the wind in the hotel :cwm24:

[gWaPito]

Just received Facebook message. She is ok :).

Great news :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[cheekee]

Just heard from fiancée. No rain in central cebu at the moment. Wind is moderate.

[Terpe]

Just heard from fiancée. No rain in central cebu at the moment. Wind is moderate.

That's very good news cheekee :xxgrinning--00xx3:

It's island hopping has made predictions difficult but the storm seems to moving away now.

The BBC are really focussing on this and it's making me nervous

[Doc Alan]

Sensible advice was published by the Philippines Department of Health ( “ During the typhoon season “ , see
http://www.doh.gov.ph/node/322.html
), before this super typhoon. Thanks to Peter for his post ( # 61 ) and others :xxgrinning--00xx3:.


Of course we are all anxiously following the news about this typhoon as it moves across the Philippines, towards Vietnam and China.


In September and October 2009 typhoons Ketsana and Parma claimed hundreds of deaths and affected several million people. At that time the government was criticised for failing to prepare for the disasters ( and the international community struggled to honour aid pledges ). One of the most serious threats to health was leptospirosis, spread through contact with water contaminated by urine of dogs, rats and other animals. Many victims were infected through open cuts and sores while wading through dirty floodwater, with a few hundred deaths. There was a big outbreak of measles in the Philippines after Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991.


The conditions listed by the DOH ( coughs and colds, acute gastroenteritis/ food poisoning, skin and eye infections, measles, dengue, and hepatitis A ) are typical of those which may occur in evacuation areas from natural disasters.


They may be vaccine - preventable and or antibiotic - preventable / treatable ( flu, rotavirus, cholera, tetanus, typhoid, polio, measles and hepatitis A, meningitis, leptospirosis, malaria ).


Natural disasters do have features in common. 9/10 are due to water-related hazards like flooding ; and weather-related hazards like storms, typhoons and droughts. The rest are geophysical, like earthquakes and volcanoes. Of deaths caused by such disasters in the past two decades, almost all have been in developing countries ( 2/5 in Asia ). In recent years, half the people affected by natural disasters lived in areas of conflict.


The risks for epidemics after natural disasters are not just due to chaos following them, but also population displacement. Factors include safe water and sanitation ; degree of crowding ; underlying health status of the population ( malnutrition ) ; and availability of health care services.


Since 2005 there has been a 10 year UN plan in an attempt to make the world safer from natural disasters. Sadly the numbers of such disasters have been increasing, whether related to climate change ; environmental degradation ; increased population of cities prone to earthquakes / floods ; or conflicts.


Better weather forecasting techniques and communications help to make countries such as the Philippines prepare better than in the past for natural disasters. Despite this, a typhoon of the size currently being experienced IS a major challenge.



Let’s hope the country gets the international support it needs. I know ALL members take this seriously and our thoughts are with those directly involved.

[gWaPito]

Good post Alan. .A very interesting informative read as always.

I'm dreading the coming hours

[Rosie1958]

Very well done to Terpe and Doc Alan for some very informative posts :xxgrinning--00xx3:

I can't begin to believe what those poor people must be going through, god bless them all

[gWaPito]

The world waits to see powerful typhoon's devastation in the Philippines By Michael Martinez and Jethro Mullen, CNN
November 9, 2013 -- Updated 0102 GMT (0902 HKT)

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/131107142831-02-typhoon-1107-story-top.jpg
Super Typhoon Haiyan makes landfall


STORY HIGHLIGHTS


NEW: Most of Cebu province has no landline, cell phone or radio service
Relief worker wonders about 350,000 people in tents and shelters during typhoon
With the new day in Philippines, military helicopters will take aerial survey
"Around 20" people drown after storm surge, state news agency says, citing TV reports




Are you in the affected area? Send us images and video, but please stay safe. (http://ireport.cnn.com/topics/1057748)
(CNN) -- As dawn broke Saturday in the Philippines, the devastation of Super Typhoon Haiyan was expected to become better known a day after the storm -- perhaps the strongest ever -- rampaged across the central isles of the archipelago.
An early report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council indicated at least three people were killed, but there were widespread fears of a much higher death toll. At least seven people were hurt, according the council's report on Friday.
The destruction is expected to be catastrophic. Storm clouds covered the entire Philippines, stretching 1,120 miles -- equal to a distance between Florida and Canada. The deadly wind field, or tropical storm force winds, covered an area the size of Montana or Germany.
The typhoon first roared onto the country's eastern island of Samar at 4:30 a.m. Friday, flooding streets and knocking out power and communications in many areas of the region of Eastern Visayas, and then continued its march, barreling into five other Philippine islands.
Then, predawn Saturday, it headed toward Vietnam.
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/131108142938-01-typhoon-1109-horizontal-gallery.jpg Photos: Super Typhoon Haiyan


http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/131107122131-typhoon-haiyan-sat-11-07-story-body.jpgTyphoon Haiyan one of the biggest ever
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/131108095535-javaheri-typhoon-philippines-economic-impact-00003126-story-body.jpgSuper typhoon's financial impact
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/131107084241-philippines-typhoon-00010021-story-body.jpgPhilippines braces for super typhoon
Haiyan weakened Saturday and was no longer a super typhoon, rather a typhoon with sustained winds of 145 mph (230 kph). But the storm could return to super typhoon status Saturday. The center of Haiyan will land again Sunday morning near the Vietnamese cities of Da Nang and Hue.
Philippine military helicopters were scheduled to take aerial surveys of the damage Saturday. Relief agencies in Manila were expected to begin traveling as long as 18 hours to reach the worst hit isles. Meanwhile, Haiyan was over the South China Sea on Saturday morning.
After the storm passed over his family's home in Cebu City, Chris Ducker told CNN by phone Saturday that his family was safe, but "it's been quite a harrowing day to say the least." Part of his roof was ripped off, leaking water, he said.
When Haiyan hit Cebu City on Friday morning, it awakened Ducker.
"The first thing I noticed straightaway as soon as my eyes opened was the howling of the winds around the house," said Ducker, whose home is in the mountains with a 360-degree view.
"I've never experienced winds like this in my entire existence. I've lived in this country for 13 years and I've been through a few earthquakes, I've been through plenty of these storms. We get hit quite regularly with storms, as you probably already know. But, yes, this was something else. The rain, when I looked out of the window, the rain wasn't falling. The rain was being pushed almost at, you know, a 100-degree angle right in front of our house. It was pretty incredible," he added.
Most of the Cebu province couldn't be contacted by landlines, cell phones or radio Saturday, said Dennis Chiong, operations officer for the province's disaster risk and emergency management.
Among the early reports is how one inaccessible town, Daanbantayan, has more than 3,000 residents who "badly need food, water and shelter because most of the houses there are damaged due to the storm," Chiong said.
The town of Santa Fe in Cebu saw 20% to 30% of its residents losing their houses, but officials weren't able to determine fatalities because roads were washed out and phone service was down, information officer Marvin Camay said on the province's Facebook page.
Defenseless against the storm's might
On Bohol Island, power was still out Saturday, but cell phone coverage was restored and damaged roads were being reopened, said one relief worker.
But the big concern was how did the typhoon impact the island's 350,000 people living in tents and temporary shelters since last month's earthquake, said Joe Curry of Catholic Relief Services on Bohol.
"This one was incredibly intense and big," Curry told CNN. "The strength of this typhoon is phenomenal and the way it moved across the Philippines is something of serious concern."
He feared that the hardest hit islands will experience the most fatalities.
"Those are the ones that will have the most loss," Curry said. "There are a lot of rural areas, a lot of small islands that are affected. We don't know how they can protect themselves from a typhoon of this strength."
Clarson Fruelda, of Cebu City, said residents were cleaning up dirt, leaves, coconuts, and tree branches from their homes Friday afternoon, when the storm had passed. A CNN iReporter, she described the Filipino spirit as "waterproof."
"The winds were the strongest that I felt in more than 20 years," Fruelda told CNN. "These past few weeks were really tough for my wife and I and probably for Cebuanos as well since it was just a few weeks ago when we were hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake.
"We would proudly say we survived 2013 and bring it on 2014," Fruelda added.
Photos: Major storms of the last 10 years (http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/08/world/gallery/storm-radars/index.html)


The state-run Philippines News Agency, citing unconfirmed TV reports, said "around 20" people drowned after a storm surge struck Friday morning in Palo, a town on the island of Leyte, which abuts Samar.
"Most of the fatalities sustained massive injuries in the head and upper part of the body, indicative that strong waves dashed them against hard objects," it reported, adding that nine of the dead were minors.
Experts predicted the casualty toll would soar once aid workers get to the hardest-hit areas, many of which were totally isolated -- no phone service, no electricity.
About 125,000 people took refuge in evacuation centers, and hundreds of flights were canceled.
With sustained winds of 195 mph (315 kph) and gusts as strong as 235 mph (380 kph), Haiyan may be the strongest tropical cyclone to hit land anywhere in recorded history. It will take further analysis after the storm passes to establish whether it is a record.
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php) describes winds of 157 mph (252 kph) or higher as capable of causing catastrophic damage. "A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months."
Haiyan was on a westward track when it raced into Samar traveling at 25 mph (41 kph), which meant the worst was over quickly. But the damage was severe. "About 90% of the infrastructure and establishments were heavily damaged," Gwendolyn Pang, the secretary general of the Philippine National Red Cross, told CNNI.
By early Saturday, the speed had dropped slightly, to 23 mph (37 kph).
Category 5 strength
About 25 areas in the Philippines were hit, Pang said, adding that assessment teams were prepared to enter the stricken areas as soon as conditions allowed.
But they cannot do it alone, she said: "We will be definitely needing more support for this one."
Floodwater was as high as 10 feet in some areas.
Track the typhoon (http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/currwx/tc_gis_e.htm)
Maryann Zamora, a field communications specialist for the charity World Vision, said her organization "has been working through so many disasters, so many typhoons -- but this is quite different."
"This is the strongest I ever felt so far," she said by phone from the island of Cebu.
Haiyan, known in the Philippines as Yolanda, retained much of its force as it moved westward Friday with sustained winds of 295 kph (183 mph), which put it well above the 252 kph threshold for a Category 5 hurricane, the highest category on the Saffir--Simpson scale.
Video showed streets flooded with debris and sheets of metal flying through the air.
Gov. Roger Mercado of Southern Leyte, a province in Eastern Visayas near the storm's path, said Friday morning that fallen trees had made all roads impassable. "We don't know the extent of the damage," he said. "We are trying to estimate this. We are prepared, but this is really a wallop."
With sea travel suspended in many areas, more than 3,000 travelers were stranded in ports, the council said.
Meteorologists said it maintained super typhoon intensity throughout its passage over the Philippines. A super typhoon has surface winds that sustain speeds of more than 149 mph (240 kph) for at least a minute, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
iReport: Heavy rains as Philippines braces for typhoon (http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1057709?hpt=hp_bn8)
CNN's Aliza Kassim, Karen Smith, Elwyn Lopez, Judy Kwon, Taylor Ward, Brandon Miller, Ivan Cabrera and Mari Ramos contributed to this report. Paula Hancocks in Manila also contributed.

Source :-
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/08/world/asia/philippines-typhoon-haiyan/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

[mickcant]

Very well done to Terpe and Doc Alan for some very informative posts :xxgrinning--00xx3:

I can't begin to believe what those poor people must be going through, god bless them all

I second that.
Mick.

[RickyR]

Any news from family, friends and members affected?

[Terpe]

As for us we've not been able to secure any information from those family members who may be affected.
We're still trying and we're also being helped by family in Mindanao but most communications are still down.
Most of our family members who wanted to physically go and see have not managed to find any travel. Ferries not yet moving etc.
Just got to sit and wait......

[Michael Parnham]

I second that.
Mick.

Pleased your back Mick, I was a little concerned as to where you'd disappeared to! :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[alesypalsy]

We all in the same predicament here, its such a catastrophe and i hope its one that the Philippine people will pull though it,,,
we also waiting to hear from loved ones

[gWaPito]

Pleased your back Mick, I was a little concerned as to where you'd disappeared to! :xxgrinning--00xx3:

Great to see you back Mick. ...Like alespalsy, we all wait in abominable anticipation for good news of our loved ones and dear friends from The Philippines

[cheekee]

I have spoken to my fiancée in central Cebu. Weather is fine there today. Power has been back on since this morning. Just waiting for internet to be reconnected. I'm not sure about other areas.

I'm hoping everyone is safe and you all hear from you're loved ones soon.

[Michael Parnham]

Thank's Mark!:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[cheekee]

Internet is back.

My fiancée is walking around Ayala. She can see a few damaged trees.

She tells me the worst hit area she has heard is Tacloban City. Visayas.

Houses/buildings/cars and sea walls there damaged. :(

3 missing persons reported. 10 people at least died.

[mickcant]

Pleased your back Mick, I was a little concerned as to where you'd disappeared to!:xxgrinning--00xx3:

Hi Michael :Wave:
I have not been away, I do not post much becous my Phillipines experances are getting out of date (like me) but I join in where I can.
Mick :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Michael Parnham]

Hi Michael :Wave:
I have not been away, I do not post much becous my Phillipines experances are getting out of date (like me) but I join in where I can.
Mick :xxgrinning--00xx3:

Thanks Mick, at the time I was worried because it was reported that IOW had been hit the hardest during the storm!:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Michael Parnham]

Thanks for that Cheekee
Internet is back.

My fiancée is walking around Ayala. She can see a few damaged trees.

She tells me the worst hit area she has heard is Tacloban City. Visayas.

Houses/buildings/cars and sea walls there damaged. :(

3 missing persons reported. 10 people at least died.

Thanks Cheekee, pleased your lady is safe, so sorry to hear others have lost relatives!

[mickcant]

Thanks Mick, at the time I was worried because it was reported that IOW had been hit the hardest during the storm!:xxgrinning--00xx3:

Re the storm this week, I do not think it was too bad here, at least not in the middle of the Island where I am.

It was blowing hard on the Monday when I took "Charlie" my dog his first walk around 6am, and it spooked him and he did not want to go far (he just turns round if he does not want to go the route we normally take)

In the last bigger storm of 1987 Shanklin Pier went and many roofs, it was nothing like that.

Mick.

[anvee]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxfXUjdphK8

Here is the youtube video of ABS CBN news, please watch their latest vids about the Typhoon. They're spoken in Tagalog so please prepare a translator with you but videos say a millions of words anyways, so im pretty sure youll know whats being shown. please pray for our countrymen, they need it now more than anything. also your donations can be given in ABS CBN sagid kapamilya bank accounts. just google them. thanks

[anvee]

at least 100 people died in Tacloban City alone. there are still more than 40 brgys in visayas region that has been affected.

[KeithD]

Thousands likely to be dead according to some local reports, with 1000 dead in one place alone.

[grahamw48]

Yes, I think it's inevitable that the casualties will be in the 1,000s. Just tragic.:NoNo:

[gWaPito]

Yes, I think it's inevitable that the casualties will be in the 1,000s. Just tragic.:NoNo:

I wonder what to that guy on twitter. ..remember Graham. .you posted a link on him. ..He was in the City worst hit. ..He was going to take more pictures then come back. ..He never came back

[marksroomspain]

Channel 4 news reporting at least 1,000 have lost their lives already in Talcoban alone, pics of dead children shown truly devastating:pray: