Typhoon

The definition of a typhoon is a tropical cyclone with winds faster than 74

miles per hour that occurs in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Northeast Pacific
Ocean east of the dateline, the South Pacific east of 160E and the Northwest
Pacific Ocean west of the date line.

Facts about Typhoons

 Once a tropical storm has reached sustained winds of 73 miles per hour or 64
knots per hour, the storm is classified a typhoon.
 After that, there are only two divisions: severe typhoon and super typhoon.
 A severe typhoon has sustained winds of at least 95 miles per hour or 80
knots and a super typhoon has sustained winds of at least 115 miles per hour
or 100 knots.
Formation
 Typhoons begin over warm water and in humid air between 10 and 20
degrees latitude north in the Pacific Ocean.
 As warm air rises from the surface of the water, less air is left and a low
pressure area develops.
 This area of low pressure pulls in the air around it.
 As the air comes in, it warms up and begins to rise.
 Clouds begin to form as the air cools because of its elevation and soon the
system begins to rotate.
 If conditions are favorable, especially the temperature of the water, then the
system grows and eventually an eye will form.
 If the water temperature drops below 79 degrees Fahrenheit, the storm will
weaken.
 The typhoon will also dissipate if it moves over land.

Safety Drills

During a typhoon:

1. Do not panic, remain calm.

2. Pack foods that don’t need cooking.
3. Keep flashlights, candles and battery-powered radios within reach.
4. Examine your houses and repair unstable parts as much as possible.
5. Secure domesticated animals in a safe place.
6. Bring clothes, first-aid kit, candles/flashlights, battery-operated radios, food,
etc. during evacuation.
7. Stay inside the house and keep updates with the latest weather forecast.
8. If safe drinking water is NOT available, boil water for at least 20 minutes, and
then place it in a container with cover.
9. Keep an eye on lighted gas lamps.
10. Do not wade through flood waters to avoid electrocution and water-borne
diseases.
11. Stay away from low-lying beaches or other locations which may be swept
away by tides or waves.
12. Check everything that may be blown away or turn loose. Flying objects are
dangerous during typhoons.
13. Do not use gas or electrical appliances that were submerged during flood.
14. Be calm when going to an evacuation center. Close all windows and turn off
main power switch before leaving home. Put important appliances and
belongings on a high ground. Avoid roads leading to the river and areas prone to
land-slide.

After typhoon:

1. Be sure that the house/ building is safe and stable before you enter.
2. Beware of poisonous animals like snakes that may have entered your house.
3. Watch out for live wires or outlet immersed in water and report damaged
electrical cables and fallen electric posts to authorities.

Earthquake
A shaking of the ground caused by the passage of seismic waves through Earth’s
rock. Seismic waves are produced when some form of energy stored in Earth’s
crust is suddenly released, usually when masses of rock straining against one
another suddenly fracture and “slip.” Earthquakes occur most often along
geologic faults, narrow zones where rock masses move in relation to one another.
The major fault lines of the world are located at the fringes of the huge tectonic
plates that make up Earth’s crust.

Safety Drills

Level 1 – Simple: Drop, Cover, and Hold On Drill and Building Evacuation
This standard drill and evacuation uses simple steps to inform all teachers and
students how to perform Drop, Cover, and Hold On – a quake‐safe action
designed to protect lives and prevent injuries from falling furniture and flying
objects that can become projectiles during ground shaking. Teachers and
students will then evacuate the building according to the school disaster plan,
which may be required for a quarterly or semi‐annual safety drill.

Level 2 – Basic: Life Safety Drill

This life safety drill is designed to engage students, teachers, staff, and
administration to think through their emergency response actions during the
drill, then afterwards to review and discuss risk reduction and response
measures in order to make changes for the next earthquake or drill.
Level 3 – Intermediate: Decision‐Making Table Top Drill
This decision‐making drill is designed to have designated teachers, staff,
administration and parents think through more complex issues related to
school operations in the immediate aftermath of this earthquake, then afterwards
to review and discuss what worked or what did not in order to make changes for
the next earthquake or drill. Older students may be included where appropriate.

Level 4 – Advanced: School Standard Emergency Management Simulation Drill

This school drill involves the whole school and implementation of the School
Emergency Plan. It focuses on activation of the full response system. Since all
school workers are emergency workers, both trained and untrained personnel
practice emergency response duties. The drill incorporates decision‐making,
response, life safety aspects, and then a review afterwards to discuss what
worked or what did not in order to make changes for the next earthquake or drill.

Tsunami
A tsunami is an enormous sea wave that erupts and reaches land. You should be
afraid of them, because a tsunami can destroy a coastal region in minutes.
Japan has had the misfortune of experiencing many tsunamis. They're caused by
earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the sea. In Japanese, tsu means "harbor"
and nami means "wave." We sometimes use tsunamimetaphorically, to describe
really destructive events. After your parents came home, they compared the mess
from your party to a tsunami.

Safety Drills

Tsunami-specific planning should include the following:

 Learn about tsunami risk in your community. Contact your local

emergency management office or Red Cross chapter. Find out if your
home, school, workplace or other frequently visited locations are in
tsunami hazard areas. Know the height of your street above sea level and
the distance of your street from the coast or other high-risk waters.
Evacuation orders may be based on these numbers.
 If you are visiting an area at risk from tsunamis, check with the hotel,
motel, or campground operators for tsunami evacuation information
and how you would be warned. It is important to know designated
escape routes before a warning is issued.
If you are at risk from tsunamis, do the following:

 Plan an evacuation route from your home, school, workplace, or any

other place you'll be where tsunamis present a risk. If possible, pick an
area 100 feet above sea level or go up to two miles inland, away from the
coastline. If you can't get this high or far, go as high as you can. Every foot
inland or upwards may make a difference. You should be able to reach
your safe location on foot within 15 minutes. After a disaster, roads may
become impassable or blocked. Be prepared to evacuate by foot if
necessary. Footpaths normally lead uphill and inland, while many roads
parallel coastlines. Follow posted tsunami evacuation routes; these will
lead to safety. Local emergency management officials can help advise you
as to the best route to safety and likely shelter locations.
 Practice your evacuation route. Familiarity may save your life. Be able
to follow your escape route at night and during inclement weather.
Practicing your plan makes the appropriate response more of a reaction,
requiring less thinking during an actual emergency situation.
 Use a radio to keep informed of local watches and warnings.
 Talk to your insurance agent. Homeowners' policies do not cover
flooding from a tsunami. Ask about flood insurance.
 Discuss tsunami with your family. Everyone should know what to do in
case all family members are not together. Discussing tsunamis ahead of
time will help reduce fear and anxiety, and let everyone know how to
respond. Review flood safety and preparedness measures with your
family.

Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit

Please see the section "Disaster Supplies Kit" for general supplies kit
information. Tsunami-specific supplies should include the following:

 Evacuation Supplies Kit in an easy-to-carry contanier (backpack) near

your door
 Disaster Supplies Kit basics