Tropical
Depressions Tropical Storms
Typhoons Super Typhoons
Satellite
Image
of a Super Typhoon
Formation
Tropical
storms and typhoons can occur anytime during the year in the Marianas, but
most frequently during the rainy season between the months of August to
December.
Nature
and Causes
The process by which a disturbance forms and subsequently strengthens into a typhoon depends on at least three conditions:
1.Warm
Waters
2.Moisture
3.Inward Spiraling Winds
Developing typhoons gather heat and energy through contact with warm
ocean waters. The addition of
moisture by evaporation from the sea surface powers them like giant heat
engines.
Bands of thunderstorm form allowing the air to warm further and rise
into the atmosphere. If the
winds at these higher levels are relatively light, this structure can
remain intact and allow for additional strengthening.
The center, or eye, of a typhoon is relatively calm.
The most violent activity takes place in the area immediately
around the eye, called the eyewall.
At the top of the eyewall, most of the air is propelled outward, increasing the airs upward motion. Some of the air however, moves inward and sinks into the eye creating a cloud-free area.
P-1
Potential
Threats/Risks
The potential threats from typhoons come from very strong winds,
flooding caused by heavy rains, hazardous surf conditions, and washouts of
coastal areas caused by extreme wave action.
Strong winds can cause structural damages to homes and other
buildings, pick up loose objects and propel them with deadly force,
destroy trees and agricultural crops, and damage utility power poles and
power lines. Prolonged power
outages can result from damages to the power distribution system.
Wind driven rain in a super typhoon can act like a water blaster
forcing water through windows, door seals, and other openings in homes and
buildings. Heavy rains
before, during and after the typhoon can cause flooding in low-lying areas
and washout road systems making them impassable.
Hazardous surf conditions can destroy the harbor areas and ships
and boats tied or anchored there. Homes
and buildings in coastal areas can experience damages from flooding and
washouts caused by extreme wave actions.
Types
of Storms & Condition Settings
Types
of Storms
...MaximumWinds
Tropical
Depression
39
MPH or less
Tropical
Storm
.
40-74
MPH
Typhoon
75-150
MPH
Super
Typhoon
150
MPH or greater
Condition
Settings
...Storms ETA
Condition
IV
.
Within
72 hours
Condition
III
.
Within
48 hours
Condition
II
..Within
24 hours
Condition
I
Within
12 hours
Note: Condition settings for typhoons and tropical storms are the same. Condition settings refer to the storms forward movement and Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) or the estimated time it will hit the island.
P-2
Mitigate
How can we mitigate or reduce the damages of a typhoon?
We can reduce the damages of a typhoon by designing and building
stronger buildings and structures that can withstand typhoon strength
winds (greater than 150 MPH). Building
fully concrete structures in compliance with the Building Safety Code or
reinforcing (strapping down) tin and wood structures and installing
typhoon shutters on windows and doors can reduce structural damages caused
by typhoons. Loose objects
around the house needs to be strapped down or removed and secured to
prevent them from being picked up and propelled by strong winds.
Trimming or pruning tall trees near houses, buildings and
electrical lines can prevent them from breaking or falling and causing
damages.
Installing underground power lines, installing concrete power poles or
reinforcing our existing power distribution system can mitigate or reduce
potential damages. Improving
the drainage systems can reduce flooding in low-lying areas. Proper land use regulations that does not allow construction
of homes and buildings in flood prone areas or requires certain standards
of building requirements in these areas, can reduce flood damages.
Constructing better roads and drainage systems will prevent or
reduce road washouts caused by heavy rains.
Prepare
How can we prepare for a typhoon?
We can prepare for a typhoon by listening to the warning forecasts on TV and radio to learn about the location and strength of the typhoon. Board up windows and doors, install typhoon shutters and strap down or secure loose objects around the house that can be picked up by strong winds. Purchase enough emergency supplies for all family members for at least 3 days such as food and water, flashlights/batteries, gas, medicine, etc. Purchase food items that do not require refrigeration such as canned goods, rice, pasta, noodles, etc. Consume the frozen goods first and place them in an ice chest to keep them frozen longer during power outages.
P-3
Tropical Depressions
Tropical
Storms
Typhoons
Super Typhoons
Respond
How can we safely respond to a typhoon?
If you dont feel that your house is secure or you are told to
evacuate, then do so immediately. Do
not wait until the winds are very strong which could make evacuating
dangerous for yourself and response personnel who might be assisting you.
Continue to monitor typhoon forecasts and warnings.
Do not go outside your house or drive on the road as flying objects
can present unsafe conditions. Open
bedroom doors to prevent vacuum effect in the house that can cause sliding
windows to shatter. When the
eye of the typhoon is passing, it will be very calm and then suddenly
conditions will get worst. Do
not go outside thinking that the typhoon has passed.
Listen to weather forecasts for the All Clear conditions to
be issued.
Recover
How can we safely recover after a typhoon?
After the typhoon, listen to public health warnings about possible
diseases and how to avoid them or types of vaccination or treatment
needed, avoid contaminated food resulting from the lack of electricity and
refrigeration, and purify drinking water by boiling or adding bleach.
Avoid dangling electrical wires and scattered debris of tin and
lumber as there may be rusty nails protruding.
Wear proper safety gears and equipment when working in hazardous
areas.
To
avoid injuries
when doing disaster recovery work
Think Safety First, Last and Always
P-4
Supplies
For Preparing Meals
·
Disposable
plates, forks, spoons and knives
·
Disposable
hot and cold cups
·
Paper
towels and napkins
·
Non-electric
Can Opener
·
Other
utensils (knives, tongs, spatula, etc.)
·
Heavy
duty aluminum foil
·
Trash
bags
·
Matches
in waterproof containers
·
Gas,
kerosene or camp stove with 5-day fuel supply
Water
& Food Supplies
Drinking
Water:
at least one gallon/day per adult.
Canned
Meats:
Corned Beef, Spam, Tuna, Ham, etc.
Canned
Vegetables:
Corn, beans, peas, etc.
Rice, noodles, pasta, soba or ramen, flour, etc.
Seasoning & Spices: salt, pepper, curry, MSG, etc.
Sterilize
Water by:
·
Boiling
for 3-5 minutes or
·
Adding
unscented bleach or Clorox (16 drops/gallon of water using USP Dropper and
let it set for 30 minutes)
Some
First Aid Kit Supplies
·
Adhesive
tape roll 2 wide
·
Antiseptic
solution
·
Aspirin,
cough medicine, diarrhea medicine
·
Bandage,
sterile roll, 2 & 4 wide
·
Bandage,
plastic strip, assorted sizes
·
Medicine
cup/glass
·
Petroleum
jelly (Vaseline)
·
Rubbing
alcohol, Soap
·
Sanitary
Napkins, 1 package paper tissue
·
Thermometer,
Tweezers, Scissors
·
Water
purifying materials
·
Plastic
garbage bags
P-5
Emergency Telephone Numbers
Emergency
(Police Department)
..
911
SAIPAN
DPS Police-Main Station - Susupe.. 664-9001/2
Sub Station - Garapan .664-9076
DPS Fire -Main Station Susupe ...664-9003/4
Sub Station - Garapan ...664-9076/81
Sub Station - Capitol Hill. 664-9082
Sub Station Koblerville. 664-9083
Commonwealth Health Center 2348950 / 51
Emergency Management Office .. 322-8001, 2-4 322-9528 / 29
Emergency Information Hotline 322-0220/0222
(Weather Info. & Typhoon Warnings)
TINIAN
DPS Police .433-9222
DPS Fire ... 433-0476
Tinian Health Center . 433-9233/9263/9333
Emergency Management Office . 433-8471
ROTA
DPS Police 532-9433/9490
DPS Fire ... 532-3736
Rota Health Center 532-9433/9461, 2-4
Emergency Management Office .532-4800
This disaster preparedness information brochure was developed and
produced by the CNMI Emergency Management Office through a grant funded by
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
P-6