FLOOD, STORM, EL NINO AND LA NINA

Flood

basically means an overflowing of water from streams and other
bodies of water or an accumulation of rainwater in low-lying areas.

Flood

transitory pour out of a normally waterless area due to spill over of a body of water, remarkable build up, run off of surface waters or a typical erosion or destabilization of shoreline.

Flood

can also be overflow of mud flow caused
by buildup of water underground..

TWO MAJOR CATEGORIES OF FLOOD
BASED ON IT CAUSES

Natural causes & Man-made causes

Natural causes

HEAVY AND EXTENDED RAINFALL, STORM SURGE, HIDE TIDE

Heave and extended rainfall

Hydrometeorological
disturbances such as
tropical cyclones, low
pressure areas,
intertropical convergence
zone, cold fronts and
monsoons could lead to
heavy floodings.

Storm surge

It can generate
elevation of ocean
level to ground height
to several feet and
flood nearby low-
lying coastal
communities.

Hide tide

that coincides with
high stream flows can
aggravate flooding
near the coast.

Man-made causes

INFRASTRUCTURE AND
COASTAL DEVELOPMENT, HAPHAZARD DUMPING OF
GARBAGE, BLASTING, INFORMAL SETTLERS, DEFORESTATION, FAILURE OF LEVEES
AND DAMS

Infrastructure and coastal development

It increases the
resistance of ground
surfaces due to
concrete roads and
loss its ability to
soak up flood waters
and may result to
flash flooding.

Haphazard dumping of garbage

it causes blockage
of waterways

Blasting

generates landslides
in the slopes of hills
and mountains and
may result
to unintended
damning of rivers
and streams

Informal settlers

intrusion of
waterways can
hinder the normal
flow of
floodwater.

Deforestation

decreases the
permeation
capacity and
speed of the
flood flows.

Failure of leeves and dams

can produce the
worst flood
events by
releasing large
quantities of
water.

Minor flooding

flooding that may or may not be cause by overbanking. It could be
simply due to build up of unwarranted surface overflow water in flat
low-lying areas. Flood water is usually confined along river beds and low-lying areas of the metropolis.

Major flooding

flooding is a result of overflowing rivers and lakes; serious damage from major water reservoir likes dams, dikes or levees; Flood waters affects many neighborhood and stretch rapidly to adjacent shoreline of comparatively lower elevation. There is a persistent water current in some areas particularly seem in deep flooding

Flash flood

Normally floods take about 12 to 24 hours or
longer to develop after an intense downpour. But
there is a particular type which develops in less than
six hours commonly termed as ____

Flash flood

build up in areas with steep slopes of rivers. Its rapid
development is mainly caused by remarkably limited time for drainage catchment.

The rainfall in the area on the point of catchment farthest away from the rivers takes a diminutive time to reach river waterways and become part of stream flow. Thus, the amount of stream flow rapidly increases resulting to increase water level. When the flow
capacity of the stream is reached, the waterways overflows resulting to flashfloods.

Floods

cannot be prevented. To a large degree, nevertheless, it can be controlled successfully.

several of measures that must be taken to accomplish this before
and during a flood:

1.Ensuring the flow capacity of a river by maintaining debris out of
river channels, by dredging, by straightening of channels, etc.;
2.Building of dikes and levees; and
3.Sand bagging during floods.

People living in a flood

stricken area must take preventive measures to guarantee
personal protection and wellbeing:

1.Adults and children should avoid soaking in floodwaters.
2.Where houses are usually to be flooded, people should evacuate immediately.
3.Electrical appliances should be transferred to elevated areas to avoid damaged and prevent electrocution.
4.When floodwaters submerged electrical outlets, power breakers should be
turned off.

MEASURES THAT CAN BE TAKEN
BEFORE FLOOD:

1.if you are new in the area, ask neighbors or local officials the likelihood of your area to be flooded.
2.Be informed of the flood warning system of your community.
3.Be updated with the daily weather condition.
4.Look for an evacuation area for your family and pets
5.Designate responsibilities with each of the family member in your
emergency rescue plan.

WHEN WARNED OF FLOOD:

1.Monitor rise in water level. Evacuate immediately
when necessary.
2.Keep updated with any emergency instructions
from your local officials.
3.Store drinking water.
4.Safeguard important documents.
5.Transfer livestock and pets to higher ground.
6.Turn off main electrical switch of your house.
Secure your house by locking the door.

MEASURES THAT CAN BE TAKEN
DURING FLOOD:

1.Stay inside your house or the evacuation area.
2.Avoid low-lying areas.
3.Stay away from any body of water like rivers, lakes, and dams.
4.Use protective clothing when walking water-covered roads and bridges.
5.Never attempt to swim flood water
6.Be cautious of contaminated food and water.

MEASURES THAT CAN BE TAKEN
AFTER FLOOD:

1. Return to your houses only when it is safe.
2. Be aware of damaged electrical wirings.
3. Do not eat food nor drink water soaked in flood waters.
4. Inform your utility services of damaged electrical or telephone cables.
5. Never turn on electrical appliances nor communication gadgets unless checked
by licensed electrician.
6. Consult physician if there are signs and symptoms of water-borne diseases.
7. Never hamper the search and rescue operation of your local officials.

MEASURES THAT CAN BE TAKEN
TO MITIGATE FLOODS:

1. Help in reforestation measures of the government.
2. Report illegal loggers and people participating in
"kaingin"
3. Informed local officials of unauthorized constructions
of fish ponds.
4. Practice proper garbage disposal.
5. Support clean up drives of rivers, esteros and
watersheds.
6. Participate in the flood mitigation efforts of the local
government.
7. Make your drainage free from trash.

Storm surge

During a tropical cyclone it is common for ocean waves to be pushed towards the shore by the force of the wind and the intense pressure of a heavy down pour. This occurrence is known as
"______" or "daluyong ng bagyo" in the vernacular.

Storm surge

Meteorologist defined ___ as an unusual ascend of water during a typhoon, over and above the calculated high wave. It is related with the alteration in the hydrological intensity that is a direct result of the tropical depression. Since storm surge varies between water levels, there is no reference level created thus far.

Storm tide

on the other hand, is the elevation of water level during a typhoon caused by both high tide and storm surge. It is calculated in terms of the height of storm surge and high tide. A 15 feet storm surge above a 2 feet high tide generates a 17 feet storm tide above sea level.

Storm surge

is a direct result of strong winds during a tropical storm or hurricane

Coastal flooding

is a direct result of storm surge beside quarters with shallow shorelines or beach-front areas.

Typhoon pedring

Last 2012, ____ hit the metropolis flooding the areas along Roxas Boulevard in Manila, destroying the sea walls and structures along
Manila Bay.

Storm surges

can set off flooding coastal areas 3 to 6 hours prior to landfall. On high-speed moving typhoons storm surge can occur extremely fast.

Super typhoon

can spawn storm surge elevation of more than 20 feet above sea
level.

Wind/pressure effect

Winds is directly proportional to storm surge and inversely proportional to atmospheric pressure. The stronger the winds of a
typhoon and the higher the peak of storm surge and the lower the atmospheric pressure.

Rainfall effect

Heavy precipitation caused by typhoons increases the total
surge height near the coast

Tidal effect

If the storm surge coincides with the occurrence of astronomical
tide, surge height will be higher

Shape of the coastline

The gentler is the slope, the higher is the surge in the coastal areas.

Measures that can be taken
before a typhoon:

1.Prepare an emergency kit and emergency rescue plan.
Assess your area. If you live in low-lying area, evacuate immediately.
2.People near dams and other water reservoir must monitor the safety of their area.
3.Listen to official announcements of the local government regarding
4.evacuation plan of your community.
5.Valuable possession must be secured in the emergency kit.
6. Cut down tree if it posed danger. Secure permit from DENR.
7. Unclog rain gutters and downspouts.
8. Secure outdoor furniture, decorations and garbage can inside the
house
9. Ask your local officials for availability of rescue boats

Measures that can be taken during a storm surge:

1.Be informed of the latest news by listening
on radios or watching TV.
2.All outdoors equipments should be secure
by bring it inside the house.
3.Turned off electrical breakers. Do not use
lines of communication if not necessary.
4.Ensure supply of water by filling up bottles,
tubs, containers etc.
5.Place food supply in safe containers
6. Evacuate immediately when advice by local
authorities and under the following
circumstances:
a. If you live near bodies of water or your house
is made of light materials.
b. If you live condominium transfer to lower
floors.
7. Do not travel unless necessary.
8. Do not use the elevators.

MEASURES TO BE TAKEN
AFTER A TYPHOON:

1.Keep updated to the latest news thru radio, TV or
internet.

2.Stay safe inside your house hours after the storm surge.
If you cannot find your family member in the
evacuation center, try your family communication plan.

3.Never return to your house unless your local official
says it is safe.

4.Avoid any forms of travel

7. Stay away from exposed electrical wirings and report it
immediately to your utility company.
8. Check loose electrical wirings, gas leaks and damages
inside your house.Stay away from buildings that posed
danger. Ask your local officials for assistance.
9. Never use candle. Emergency lights and flashlights is
safer.
10. Inspect your house from any harmful animal that might
have entered.

11. Watch out for falling debris.
12. Make sure that your drinking water and food is not
contaminated.
13. Discard spoil food.
14. Use protective clothing like plastic boots, goggles, rain
coats.
15. Never use your telephone unless by utility service. You
might get electrocuted.

El nino phenomenon

is the extreme warming of sea surface that develops in the
Pacific Ocean that usually causes heavy rains in some parts of the world and drought in other parts.

El nino

a Spanish term meaning "Little Child" or "Boy Child" was previously considered a local event along the coast of South American countries. It was the term used by Peruvian fishermen in
describing the warm ocean current flowing along its coast around Christmas season.

El nino

It occurs in the Pacific bowl
every 2 to 9 years.

Climatic abnormalities that indicate the occurrence of
El Nino Phenomenon in the Philippines includes

(1) Late onset of rainy season;
(2) Early cessation of rainy season;
(3) Weak monsoon activity;
(4) Isolated rain with short duration;
(5) Weak tropical cyclone activity;
(6) Far tropical cyclone track;
(7) Few number of tropical cyclone track;
8. Few number of tropical cyclones entering Philippine
Area of Responsibility;
9. Less intense tropical cyclones. In general, the
weather phenomenon brings drought in the country
with the following ill- effects such as degradation of
soil, fire, water shortage, which in turn produces food
shortage, power interruption, unemployment,
migration to urban communities and different health
concerns.

La nina

Spanish term for "Little Girl" is a phenomenon linked to a
change in atmospheric pressure known as Southern Oscillation

El viejo

(Old Man) in some Spanish speaking countries, this event is typified by bizarrely freezing ocean temperatures increasing rainfall over the western half of Pacific Ocean.

La nina

brings unseasonal heavy rains and intensifies hydrometeorological hazards.

Both el nino and la nina

are opposite results of ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation), the same phenomenon. They are an oscillation in temperatures between the Eastern Equatorial Pacific region's atmosphere and ocean, roughly between the International Dateline and 20 degrees west. Building up between June and December

el nino

is caused by a change in wind patterns. Here, after Asia's summer
monsoons, the Pacific Trade Winds struggle to replenish. The moist air contributes to an oscillation between the colder and warmer waters, resulting in warmer than average ocean temperatures.