10 Uncommon Facts about Floods

10 Uncommon Facts about Floods That You Should Know

Ara Jay M. Ong

Summer is officially over as typhoon and endless outpour of rain comes knocking at our doors. We are all very familiar with what comes next after those things—flood. There are endless list of things to do and not to do during floods and you might think you heard them all, but here are some important facts that are not so often mentioned that might save you a lot of hassle and even your life during this season.

A car can be taken away in as little as 2 feet of water

If you own a car and it’s raining heavy or there is a flood watch around your place, you better secure your vehicle. Floods are very powerful and definitely doesn't discriminate and care about car brands. Secure your vehicle, move it to a higher lot or tie it on something firm. It would also be helpful to find ways to cover it to prevent water from getting inside it.

Flash floods carry water as high as 10-20 feet

Flash floods are different from ordinary floods. Flash floods occur within 6 hours following the end of a causative event. It can develop and occur anywhere water can collect like areas of steep terrain. Flash floods can last for many hours even until 12 hours.

Just 6 inches of rapidly moving flood water can make a person fall down

Don’t wonder around during a flood. If you cannot avoid walking then stay out of moving water, it is very dangerous and can knock you off your feet in seconds, and you don’t want that during a flooding.

Flood watch is different from flood warning different

A watch means flooding is possible. A warning means flooding is occurring or will occur soon. Keep listening to your radios about warnings and announcements. Stay alert.

Mind the appliances

If there is a big possibility of flood, don’t wait for it to happen and turn off the main switch in your house. But if you are caught by surprise and wasn’t able to turn the electricity off, stay away from electrical appliances during the flood. Chances of electrocution are high.

Running can kill you

If you are already in a flood and the water is not still don’t run. A study showed that 95% of people are killed by flood for trying to run faster than the water. There is no use in playing sprint with water; the right way to secure your self is to find higher ground. Do not run in running water.

Stay out of your car

During a flood it is best to get out of your vehicle. If you are stuck in traffic and flood or flash flood is coming, you better get out of your vehicle. Your life is more precious than your car. If you are trapped inside a car, even with a few inches of water, it would be impossible to open your door. So when you still can, get out. However, if you are really trapped break the windshield or the door glass. It can be really hard, so better be prepared for the rainy days and have tools ready in your car, those of course you can easily reach during floods, and not the ones in the trunk.

Preparedness and alertness is everything

People usually don’t pay much attention in preparation, when the truth is, preparation is everything. Floods are getting more common than ever, so it’s time to wake up to reality and plan. It’s not corny or weird to make plans even if it’s a dry season. Communicate with your family members, know your surroundings, keep informed, prepare kits, bags and escape plans. Being branded as a doomsday prepper is not fatal, a flood can be.

No one is really that safe from flooding

There are very few places in the world that are safe from flooding, logically, anywhere that there is rain can be flooded. It is true that rain is not the only factor about flooding however; there are also handful kinds of flood that involves surroundings and even human error.

Most floods are man made

True, and probably you've observed too. Remember those days when flood can’t reach your doorstep? And now they do. What changed? People usually make small or big decision without thinking of the consequences thoroughly. People ought to realize that with every action there is a reaction. Our surrounding or nature is not to blame; they are only reacting to what we are doing. Stop littering, stop constructing objects that blocks water flow, stop overcrowding, stop deforestation and start learning to live with nature.

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What must you do in case of an Earthquake?

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

What must you do in case of an earthquake?

1 Protect Yourself First
・Be prepared and protect yourself from an earthquake when you hear an earthquake warning announcement or feel a quake. 

・Stay under a large table until a quake is gone. Keep yourself safe from falling or moving objects during a quake.

Right after an earthquake…

2 Keep Calm. Check All Fire Sources. Put Out Fire Quickly.

• If you were using any sources of fire or heat, turn them off when the shaking calms down.

•If a fire starts, put it out quickly and calmly

3 Keep Calm. Panic May Cause You Injuries.

•Be careful of fallen objects or shattered glass in the home.

•Stay inside. Roof tiles, broken window glass or signboards may fall down and hit you.

4 Make Sure You Have Ways Out: Open Doors And Windows.

•Secure an exit for escape when the shaking stops.

5 Keep Away From Gateposts And Walls.

•If you feel an earthquake outside, stay away from concrete walls and other objects which may fall over.

After an earthquake… 

6 Stay Away From Fires And Tsunami.

•Take refuge in a temporary assembly spot or an evacuation area when a fire may threaten your life in the community.

•Leave the coast as soon as possible for a higher, safer place when you are hit by a big quake

7 Get The Right Information. Take The Right Action.

•Get accurate information from radio, television, fire stations, local authorities, etc. 

8 Make Sure Your Family And Neighbors Are Safe.

•After you confirm your family's safety, check if your neighbors are all right

9 Work Together On Rescue And First Aid.

•Work with your neighbors to free victims from under debris or fallen furniture and to give first aid.

10 Make Sure Electricity And Gas Are Off Before Evacuation.

•Turn off circuit breakers and the gas at the main before you evacuate. 

References

}http://www.livescience.com/27776-tohoku-two-years-later-geology.html

}http://mceer.buffalo.edu/infoservice/disasters/Honshu-Japan-Earthquake-Tsunami-2011.asp

}http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17219008

}http://www.abc.net.au/news/specials/japan-quake-2011/

}http://www.tfd.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/mob/05/05-1-1.html

}http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/bop/2011/11-18.pdf

}http://www.jst.go.jp/pr/pdf/great_east_japan_earthquake.pdf

}http://www.getthru.govt.nz/web/GetThru.nsf/web/BOWN-7GZTZF

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Breakwater Philippines
An organization composed of Filipino youth ambassadors from the 2nd Batch of Kizuna (Bond) Project Group C with the primary objective of disseminating correct and proper information regarding disaster preparedness and risk reduction through workshops and partnerships with different Philippine agencies on disaster management.

Breakwater Bacolod Leg

Breakwater in action!

by: Louise Pipos G. Akut

I was sitting on the bench at the boarding area of Mactan-Cebu International Airport, bored and had nothing to do but to surf the internet with such slow connection, when a phone call came up. It was from our group’s adviser, Ma’am Emmy! She called ‘cause the boarding area departing for Bacolod was transferred. Excited as I am, I immediately rushed to her! I was so happy to see her again after the Kizuna [Bond] Project held in Japan. We went to Bacolod together to implement our organizations's  Bacolod Leg  project - Breakwater: Living with Nature. To know more about Breakwater, click this link and like the page: www.facebook.com/BreakwaterPhil.

As we arrive at the Bacolod-Silay International Airport, we went directly to Panaad Park and Sports Complex where our photo exhibit was held. When I saw everyone’s familiar faces, I felt nostalgic. It was like a blast from the past! Our memories when we were in Japan flashbacked. Oh, how I miss those moments. And now, we’re about to make another – Bacolod version. I just miss these guys so much!

Our photo exhibit featured the affected areas of the Great East Japan Earthquake, specifically in Iwate Prefecture.

Other than the photo exhibit, we also had our partnership with the Philippine Lifesaving Society. We assisted them in the registration of the participants in the activities of the Lifesaving Carnival.

  

 

                                      

 

And at the same time, we also met the representatives from the Lifesaving Korea. 

On April 12, we had our Disaster Awareness and Preparedness Seminar at Barangay Old Sagay, Negros Occidental. Its purpose was to provide essential information on how to be prepared whenever a disaster comes. The things that we learned in the Kizuna [Bond] Project were also brought up, especially about the Great East Japan Earthquake.  We included showing the movie about the Great East Japan Earthquake and how it created a tsunami. The main participants of the said seminar were the government officials and scholars. 

Proper execution of the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) was also taught and was spearheaded by our Senior Adviser, Mr. Edcel F. Gaitan.

After finishing our duties as goodwill ambassadors, we became instant tourists! We toured around and visited the bests of what Negros Occidental had to offer. We had dinner at Aboy’s Restaurant and had our sweet escape to Calea Pastries & Cake and had desserts. Honestly saying, Calea was a heaven of desserts. Your sweet tooth will definitely have a sudden crave for them! 

We went to Mambukal Resort and trekked the seven falls. SEVEN FALLS! Well, actually, we skipped falls #4 and reached only falls #6. Hahaha! When we reached falls #6, we took our time to swim. I even managed to dive from a cliff. It was breathtaking in a horrifying way because it definitely got my heart beat insanely as I stiffly stood at the end of the cliff. But it certainly awakened the daredevil side of me! 

 We fed our eyes with a spectacular view of the sunset at Kikai Beach. 

   Considered as a LuLi (Lumulubog, Lumilitaw) island by the local folks, Carbin Reef was also included in our itinerary. We rode a boat on our way to the island, which was by the way sponsored by the government. It was just like Camiguin Island, but a Negros Occidental version. White sand and crystal-clear sea – features that definitely captured our eyes. This was the perfect place to feel the summer heat! 

 

And the last item in our list was The Ruins, a historical relic that took us to the time when the Japanese invaded our motherland. It displayed sophistication in its design and its beauty was more praised when sunset came. A pale-looking infrastructure transformed into a sight of spectacle when its color turned into gold as the sun’s rays gracefully hit it. It’s a must-visit! 

   

April 14 came and we had to part ways again. *Sigh* Another flashback occurred, and I instantly remembered the time when we separated after the Kizuna [Bond] project. Well, it’s still not the end of the world anyway and there will still be times where we will see each other again. And when that time comes, hopefully we’ll be complete. See you in our future projects, friends! God bless Breakwater!