What to Do Before, During, and After a Typhoon: Your Complete Philippine Survival Guide
Living in the Philippines demands unwavering resilience against typhoons, which lash our archipelago with grim regularity—averaging 20 storms annually from June to November. These tempests unleash 100+ mph winds and torrential rains, testing communities from Luzon to Mindanao. Yet knowing precisely what to do before during and after a typhoon transforms paralyzing fear into life-saving action.
This definitive guide delivers proven strategies for every critical phase: fortified pre-storm preparation, real-time safety protocols during impact, and cautious recovery steps post-typhoon. Equip yourself with these actionable steps—your vigilance today safeguards your family tomorrow.
Before the Typhoon: Preparation is Survival
Mastering what to do before typhoon season hits isn’t just advice—it’s your family’s lifeline. When PAGASA issues Signal 1 (winds 30–60 km/h), act immediately with these proactive steps:
1. Fortify Your Home (Start 72+ Hours Out)
Reinforce Weak Points: Board windows with 1.9 cm-thick plywood cut to size. Secure G.I. roofing with hurricane straps or #12 gauge steel wires. Replace damaged capiz panels with storm shutters.
Prevent Flooding: Clear storm drains of leaves/plastic waste. Place sandbags wrapped in plastic (sako bags) at doorways—layer them brick-style for maximum sealing.
Anchor Outdoor Items: Move potted plants, banggeras (drying racks), and furniture indoors. Chain down water tanks and generators to concrete slabs. Trim trees within 10 meters of your house—overhanging branches become deadly projectiles.
2. Build a 72-Hour "Go-Bag" (Per Person)
Item | Quantity | Critical Notes |
Water | 12 liters | Store in BPA-free containers |
Ready-to-eat food | 9 meals | Adobo, pancit, energy bars (no cooking required) |
Medicines | 7-day supply | Include antihistamines, insulin, asthma inhalers |
Hygiene kit | 1 set | Alcohol, sanitary pads, diapers, soap |
N95 masks | 3+ | Filter toxins from post-typhoon debris |
Pro Tip: Store kits in waterproof backpacks near your exit point.
3. Secure Vital Documents
Place land titles, birth certificates, and insurance papers in triple-layer protection:
Ziplock bag
Waterproof hard case
Fireproof safe bolted to the floor
Digitize documents: Use Google Drive or Barangay Cloud portals. Share access with 2 trusted relatives.
4. Drill Your Evacuation Plan
Map Routes: Identify two paths to evacuation centers (schools/gyms). Avoid flood-prone roads like EDSA or C5.
Assign Roles:
Parent 1: Carry emergency kit
Parent 2: Secure pets in carriers
Children: Wear whistles & ID tags
Practice: Run timed drills monthly. Target <10 minutes for full evacuation.
5. Community Coordination
Join Barangay DRRM WhatsApp groups for real-time alerts.
Pre-identify neighbors needing aid (elderly/disabled).
Stock communal tools: ropes, bolt cutters, life vests.
Why This Works: Typhoon Haiyan (2013) proved prepared communities reduce fatalities by 71%. When Tacloban’s Brgy. 88 conducted drills, 98% survived storm surges.
During the Typhoon: Safety First
When the typhoon strikes, executing what to do before during and after a typhoon shifts to real-time survival. Winds exceeding 120 km/h demand immediate, decisive action:
1. Shelter in Place
Move to a "Safe Zone": Crouch in a windowless interior room or basement. Reinforce doors with heavy furniture. Avoid structures with wide-span roofs (e.g., gyms).
Protect Against Debris: Cover mattresses with thick blankets and press them against windows. Wear helmets (bicycle or construction) and sturdy shoes.
Lighting Safety: Use battery-powered LED lanterns—never candles. Gas leaks from ruptured LPG tanks can ignite explosions.
2. Monitor Threats Relentlessly
Track the Eye: Use your portable power station to keep phones/laptops charged for PAGASA updates via Twitter (@dost_pagasa) or Project NOAH.
Flood Alerts: Set timers to check water levels every 15 minutes. If water rises >5 cm/hour, prepare for vertical evacuation.
3. Cut Utilities Immediately If Flooded
Electricity: Shut off main breakers before water enters outlets—electrocution causes 27% of typhoon deaths in the Philippines.
Gas: Turn off LPG tanks at the valve. Smell for sulfur (rotten egg odor).
4. Evacuate ONLY Under These Conditions
Water reaches knee height indoors within 30 minutes.
Barangay officials broadcast orders via megaphones or SMS.
You see rescue boats (<100 meters away).
Otherwise:
Retreat to the highest point (attic/roof).
Signal rescuers with a flashlight in SOS pattern (3 short, 3 long, 3 short).
5. Avoid Deadly Hazards
Floodwaters: Just 15 cm of moving water can sweep adults away. Contaminated water risks leptospirosis—cover cuts with waterproof tape.
Flying Debris: Stay 3+ meters from windows. Typhoon Glenda (2014) caused 70% of injuries from shattered glass.
Pro Tip: Floatation saves lives. Strap empty galon water jugs to children’s life vests. Use doors as rafts if trapped.
After the Typhoon: Recovery & Caution
What to do after typhoon winds fade demands extreme vigilance—40% of typhoon-related deaths occur during recovery. Follow these critical steps to navigate hazards safely:
1. Wait for Official Clearance
Do NOT leave shelter until your Barangay Captain or LGU announces "All Clear" via SMS, social media (@MMDA), or megaphone announcements.
Post-storm threats: Downed power lines electrify floodwaters (causing 150+ electrocutions yearly). Unstable buildings collapse without warning—like Cebu structures after Typhoon Odette (2021).
2. Conduct a 5-Point Hazard Sweep
Inspect your property systematically:
Risk | Action |
Gas leaks | Smell for sulfur; evacuate if detected |
Structural damage | Look for cracks/walls leaning >15° |
Electrical hazards | Assume ALL wires are live; wait for Meralco crews |
Contaminated water | Wear rubber boots + gloves; avoid skin contact |
Displaced animals | Check for snakes/rats in debris piles |
3. Water Safety: Your Health Depends On This
Boil water for 3+ minutes or use WHO-certified tablets (e.g., Potable Aqua).
Flooded wells: Require DOH testing for E. coli and heavy metals.
Emergency sources: Harvest rainwater pre-storm in sanitized drums.
4. Document for Insurance & Aid
Photograph damage from multiple angles before cleanup. Zoom on serial numbers of electronics/appliances.
Save flood-soaked items: Insurers need proof for claims (e.g., waterlogged furniture).
Register losses at DSWD centers for calamity fund access.
5. Community Recovery Protocol
Check neighbors: Elderly/disabled residents face highest post-storm risks.
Report hazards: Call NDRRMC (911) for blocked roads, broken pipelines, or trapped victims.
Prevent disease: Spray bleach-water mix (1:10 ratio) on mud lines inside homes to kill bacteria. Burn soaked mattresses/fabrics.
Case Study: After Typhoon Ulysses (2020), Marikina residents who delayed return until MMDA inspections reduced cholera cases by 62%.
Long-Term Preparedness Tips: Build Unshakeable Resilience
Mastering what to do before during and after a typhoon requires year-round commitment. Transform vulnerability into strength with these actionable strategies:
1. Renewable Energy Independence
Install solar panels paired with the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Portable Power Station to achieve true energy independence for your home or evacuation shelter.
With 1800W of continuous AC output (3600W surge), it powers 99% of household essentials—refrigerators, sump pumps, CPAP machines—and, in X-Boost mode, drives loads up to 2600W like rice cookers and electric kettles. EcoFlow’s X-Stream technology and 1500W AC input recharge the unit from 0–100% in just 56 minutes—saving precious time before an approaching typhoon—while a 500W MPPT solar array tops it up in 130 minutes even under overcast skies.
Its third-generation LiFePO₄ battery endures 4000 cycles down to 80% capacity—translating to over a decade of dependable service during Luzon’s frequent brownouts—and the IP65-rated pack withstands heavy rains and dust during storm season. Plus, 800W car charging fills it in just 1.3 hours, perfect for powering critical devices on the road or at beachside evacuation centers.
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Portable Power Station
2. Flood-Proof Your Property
Solution | Implementation |
Raised Foundations | Elevate homes 1+ meter on stilts (coastal zones) |
Permeable Pavement | Replace concrete with grass pavers |
Bio-Engineering | Plant vetiver grass on slopes; roots stabilize soil against landslides |
Waterproof Barriers | Install 6mm marine plywood + silicone sealant on ground-floor walls |
3. Food & Water Security
Rainwater Harvesting: Install 500L food-grade tanks with first-flush diverters. Pre-storm, sanitize with 1 tsp bleach per 100L.
Typhoon-Resilient Crops: Grow kangkong, malunggay, and camote in elevated hydroponics. These survive flooding and provide nutrition post-disaster.
Seed Banking: Store drought/flood-resistant rice varieties in vacuum-sealed containers.
4. Financial Shielding
Keep ₱20,000+ emergency cash in waterproof bags (not banks—ATMs fail post-typhoon).
5. Community Fortification
Skill Pools: Train 10% of barangay residents in:
First aid (Red Cross certification)
Search/rescue (swift-water techniques)
Ham radio operation (communication when cell towers fail)
Resource Sharing: Pool funds for communal tools:
"Bayanihan Kits": Chainsaws, water purifiers, portable power stations for charging stations.
6. Structural Retrofitting
Roofs: Install hurricane straps every 40 cm.
Windows: Apply 300-micron anti-shatter film—reduces debris injuries.
Doors: Reinforce with horizontal steel bars against 200+ km/h winds.
7. Tech-Driven Alerts
Use Project NOAH’s Flood Map app for real-time inundation forecasts.
Subscribe to PAGASA’s Typhoon Watch SMS alerts.
Local Philippine Resources: Your Lifeline Network
Bookmark these critical services now—they save lives when typhoons strike.
Resource | Usage Steps | Critical Details |
PAGASA (DOST) Storm Tracking | 1. Visit pagasa.dost.gov.ph → Click "Tropical Cyclone Bulletin" 2. Understand signals: - Signal 1 (30-60 km/h): Prep emergency kit - Signal 3 (89-117 km/h): Coastal evacuation 3. Follow @dost_pagasa for live radar | • Updates every 3 hours during typhoons • "Red Rainfall" alert = 30mm+/hour |
NDRRMC Emergency Hotline | 1. Dial 911 (mobile) or 8911-1406 (landline) 2. Script: "This is [Name] from [Barangay, City]. Typhoon [Name] caused [flood/collapse]. Need [rescue/medic] at [exact address]. [Number] people." 3. Send SMS with Google Maps pin | • Works 24/7 nationwide • SMS follow-up essential when calls fail |
Project NOAH Flood Forecasts | 1. Access noah.up.edu.ph → Enter barangay in "Flood Hazard Map" 2. Color Alerts: - Blue: 0.5m flood (avoid basements) - Red: 1.5m+ flood (EVACUATE NOW) 3. Download NOAH Lite app | • Offline flood simulations • 3-hour advance warnings |
DOH Disease Outbreak Alerts | 1. Call (02) 894-COVID (26843) or text DOH<space>[BARANGAY] to 2920 2. Report symptoms: - Fever + diarrhea → Cholera risk - Jaundice + dark urine → Leptospirosis 3. Request free well-testing kits | • Water test results in 24h • Free prophylaxis for leptospirosis |
Philippine Red Cross Rescue | 1. Dial 143 or text RED<space>[NEED]<space>[LOCATION] to 2929 Example: RED RESCUE Brgy. Bagong Silang, Caloocan 3 trapped 2. On-site: Wave red cloth/tarp | • Helicopter rescue priority for red signals • Free first aid in evacuation centers |
MMDA Flood Control | 1. Follow @MMDA → Check pinned flood map 2. Search #MMDAFloodAdvisory for tagged areas Example: "España Blvd knee-deep" | • Metro Manila only • Real-time road closure updates |
Pro Tip:
Save offline: Screenshot this table or write contacts on waterproof paper.
Barangay First: Always coordinate with local Barangay DRRM Officers – they activate evacuation centers.
Conclusion
Typhoons test our resilience, but knowing what to do before during and after a typhoon transforms vulnerability into strength. Before the storm, fortify homes, stock essentials, and secure a portable power station like the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Portable Power Station to sustain critical devices. During the crisis, prioritize real-time safety: shelter in place, avoid floodwaters, and heed official alerts. After the typhoon, exercise extreme caution—wait for clearance, inspect hazards, and purify water. Long-term preparedness—community drills, renewable energy, and flood-proofing—builds unbreakable readiness. Share this knowledge across barangays. When we act collectively, we turn survival into triumph.
FAQs
If flooding starts DURING the typhoon, should I evacuate?
Evacuate ONLY if barangay officials issue a direct order and safe passage is guaranteed within 5 minutes. If floodwaters rise abruptly (knee-high or higher), immediately retreat to your roof. Never wade through currents—electrocution, debris injuries, or leptospirosis from sewage-contaminated water pose lethal risks. Signal rescuers using a flashlight or bright cloth. Stay put if evacuation routes are submerged.
How soon AFTER a typhoon can I return home?
Wait 12–72 hours for barangay clearance. Engineers must first inspect structural stability, electrical hazards, and sanitation. Downed power lines, gas leaks, or weakened foundations can cause post-storm fatalities. Monitor LGU social media (e.g., @MMDA) for reopening announcements. Never re-enter flooded homes until water fully recedes and NDRRMC teams confirm safety.
Is tap water safe to drink AFTER a typhoon?
Assume contamination until your water provider (e.g., Maynilad) confirms safety. Typhoons flood pipelines with sewage, chemicals, and debris. Boil water vigorously for 3+ minutes or use WHO-certified purification tablets. For wells, request DOH bacterial testing. Bottled water remains safest until official clearance—contaminated water causes cholera, typhoid, and severe diarrhea outbreaks within 48 hours.