LESSON 1: 4.

FLOOD
HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL HAZARDS • Flood is an overflow of water that submerges land that is
• Hydrometeorological hazard is a "phenomenon" of usually dry. Flood is also the most common widespread natural
atmospheric, hydrological or oceanographic nature that may hazard
cause severe impact on human life. • Whereabouts: Flood can either be severe or moderate in nature
depending on various factors faced. For example: Heavy rains
7 HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL HAZARDS with strong winds starting in sloppy areas could cause a flash
1. TYPHOON flood. When heavy rain strike above rivers together with
• is an extremely large and destructive storm that occurs thunderstorms could cause river flooding. When heavy rain
especially in the region of the Philippines or the China Sea. It landed near coasts it could result several hazards such as
came from the Cantonese term “big wind” and some says that it coastal flooding, tsunami and storm surge. Meanwhile, most of
was derived from the Taiwanese term “wind sifter” the flooding occurrences in land masses far from any water
• Whereabouts: Most typhoons form in a region in the northwest basins are usually caused by manmade damages even in a
Pacific known as typhoon alley, where the planet's most moderate rainfall
powerful tropical cyclones most frequently develop • Affected: Flooding just like any other hazard can affect the
• Time of year: The peak of the typhoon season in the Philippines human life including their livelihood, households, and their
usually occurs in July through October, where nearly 70% of all surroundings without concern, but unlike other hazards
typhoon develop. flooding is one of the most common occurrences in the
• Affected: On average, the northwestern Pacific features the Philippines since the country is surrounded and is blessed with
most numerous and intense tropical cyclones globally. The multiple bodies of water. Flooding occurs especially in rainy
Philippines receive the brunt of the landfalls, with China and season or when La Nina started.
Japan being less often impacted. However, some of the • Time of year: August to early January
deadliest typhoons in history have struck China. Southern China 5. STORM SURGE
has the longest record of typhoon impacts for the region, with a • It is a rise in sea level that occurs during tropical cyclones,
thousand-year sample via documents within their archives. intense storms also known as typhoons or hurricanes
Taiwan has received the wettest known typhoon on record for • Whereabouts: The surge is caused primarily by a storm’s winds
the northwest Pacific tropical cyclone basins. pushing water onshore. The amplitude of the storm surge at
2. THUNDERSTORM any given location depends on the orientation of the coast line
• It is a severe rainstorm where no rain or heavy rainfall, lightning with the storm track; the intensity, size, and speed of the storm;
and thunder take place and the local bathymetry. The storm produce during a storm
• Whereabouts: Thunderstorms develop in different ways surge, can lead to flooding which makes it very dangerous for
depending on the amount of moisture in the air and the coastal regions
temperature of the air. Geographical position is also important. • Affected: In the Philippines storm surges mostly occurs during a
As electric charges accumulate within cumulus clouds, which typhoon, for example is the storm surge during typhoon
can lead to thunderstorms, conditions are also created for Yolanda on Leyte. This affected 14 million citizens in 44
thunder and lightning to develop. Scientists monitor the provinces. 1.1 million houses and 33 million coconut tree
number of days thunder is heard, and the number of days livelihoods were destroyed, garnering a total of estimated 90%
lightning strikes are seen, at weather stations around the of Tacloban City was erased. All this due to a category 5
country to determine which areas have more thunderstorms typhoon with a wind speed more than 150mph.
than others. • Time of year: During the peek of typhoon season – July to
• Affected: Thunderstorms can strike at any time and in any October crossing the Philippines typhoon regions for about 8 to
place. It is more common in the spring and summer, and often 9 times per year
in the evening. The Philippines is a disaster-prone spot in the 6. EL NIÑO
Asian continent, which calls for proactive response vital in • El Niño is caused by the warming of sea surface temperature in
disaster mitigation and adaptation the Pacific and can affect air and sea currents. This
• Time of year: During April through September phenomenon resulted in reduced rainfall that led to dry spells,
3. FLASH FLOODS droughts and stronger typhoons
• Flash floods are a sudden and destructive rush of water down a • Whereabouts: El Nino occurs before La Nina and in contrast El
narrow gully or over a sloping surface caused by heavy rainfall Nino causes extreme continuous drought after few rains. El
• Whereabouts: A flash flood occurs when water overflows on or Nino condition takes place when surface water in the equatorial
inundates land that is normally dry. Rivers can overflow their Pacific becomes warmer than average and east winds blow
banks to cause flooding, and sea waters can be pushed towards weaker than normal. The opposite condition is called La Niña.
land by massive winds, which then causes flooding. Rainfalls During this phase of ENSO, the water is cooler than normal and
over an extended period can cause major rivers to overflow the east winds are stronger
their banks. Rivers can overflow their banks, causing flooding • Affected: Opposing La Nina, El Nino was to be treated
during heavy rains, severe storms and dam breaks. Huge negatively due to the continuous drought that is being
amounts of water flowing in rivers are due to incessant heavy experienced for months or even a whole year. In the Philippines
rains and melting of snow, resulting in severe flooding the longest El Nino occurrence lasted for 18 months (1 year 6
• Affected: People who are mostly affected in flash floods are months) last 2015 that affected more than 40% of the country;
people who live near river banks and coastlines. Sometimes, damaging its agricultural aspects and livelihood (farmland,
flash flood can also affect the people who live in urban areas crops and crop providers) due to extreme water shortage.
• Time of year: El Niño’s typically occurs every 3 to 5 years and
because of the heavy rainfall. During floods, especially flash
lasts for 9-12 months that usually begins from the start of
flooding, houses, offices, hospitals, transportation, roads,
summer (MarchJune) and ends on the same season. Before
bridges, water tanks are destroyed. People become homeless.
having a high probability of causing La Nina afterwards.
• Time of year: Flash flood normally happens during the
monsoon season. The monsoon commonly occurs from October
to late March in the Philippines, although occurrence may vary
every year
7. LA NIÑA WHAT TO DO BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THESE HAZARDS?
• La Niña (“little girls” in Spanish) is a weather phenomenon that BEFORE
is a counter part of El Nino, which is characterized by unusually • Have survival kits and emergency packs prepared together with
cold ocean temperature in the Equatorial Pacific which causes your important documents and belongings
increased numbers of tropical storms in the Pacific Ocean • Store food and clean water that is enough for 2-5 days in
• Whereabouts: In some parts of the world, La Niña causes sealable packs and in high and cold places to prevent spoilage
increased rainfall, while in other regions, it causes extreme dry and being caught on flood water in case
conditions. In the case of Philippines, La Nina causes increased • Prepare for blackouts by storing batteries, candles, flashlights
rainfall, catastrophic floods and severe tropical storms and and matches.
hurricanes. La Nina occurs when El Nino ends - when the • Listen to news on TV or battery powered radio for updates
easterly trade winds get stronger and blow more warm water • When your house is located on flood prone areas listen to
west, allowing cold water below the sea’s surface to push weather updates and exercise evacuation plan
towards the top, the Pacific Northwest becomes wetter than DURING
normal, and the Northeast experiences very cold conditions • Stay indoors and listen to the news and weather updates and
• Affected: La Nina’s effects are not usually dragged into the warnings
negative preview since on some places La Nina only bring • Disconnect appliances. When flood entered the house don’t
increased rainfall that helps the crops grow more right after the stay near sockets of electricity and other appliances.
prolonged El Nino. Meanwhile, on most cases La Nina in • If needed to evacuate DO NOT PANIC and STAY CALM. If still
opposite of El Nino that gives drought La Nina produces flood, possible close your windows, turn-off the main electrical switch
storms and hurricanes that mostly affects those who lives on get your survival kit that you prepared before the crisis, lock
lower regions, bellow mountains areas and slopes that damages your doors and gates and head to higher grounds.
people’s houses and livelihood of no choice. For example: • DO NOT insist to stay at your houses during severe typhoons in
Yolanda. fear of thieves and the likes – ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT YOUR
• Time of year: La Niña sometimes follows El Niño but not always. LIFE IS MORE IMPORTANT!
Although they occur at asymmetrical intervals of approximately • Avoid flood water. Keep the children and the elderly away from
2-7 years and would last for 9-12 months, La Niña events, like El it – evacuate them as early as possible.
Niño events, will vary year to year and with each event. AFTER
• Return home when the authorities deemed that the area you
EFFECTS OF THE HAZARDS are living in is safe
Health Effects • Check your surroundings for damaged infrastructures that
1. Disease related to contaminated water due to flooding, such as might harm you on the way especially electrical wirings and
acute gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, cholera and hepatitis A posts.
2. Disease brought by mosquitoes, such as dengue and malaria. • When back at home make sure to keep all the water out first
3. Disease related to wading in floodwaters contaminated with and empty the water basins that are left to avoid wrigglers from
urine of infected animals, such as leptospirosis. multiplying and DO NOT put on your electrical switch without
4. Accidents and injuries such as contusions, lacerations, fractures, making sure that everything is dry and safe
electrocution • Also check your belongings and family members.

PREVENTION
• Boil your drinking water (Upon reaching boiling point, extend
boiling for two or more minutes) or
• Do water chlorination
• Wash hands before preparing food and after using the toilet
• Clean-up all possible mosquito breeding sites, such as vases,
empty coconut shells, old tires and tin cans.
• Avoid wading in floodwater. If you must, wear rubber boots.

FLOODS VS. FLASH FLOODS

Caused by overflow of pre- Caused by excessive rainfall in a
existent water into dry land or short amount of time
ponding of water after rain
Characterized as “rising water” Characterized as “raging torrents”
Can occur for weeks without stop Can occur within minutes of few
hours after heavy rain (usually 6
hours)
Occurs in a slow and steady pace Occurs in a rapid pace
Casualties are lesser and easier to Casualties are greater and harder
tackle to tackle

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF FLOOD?

• Stay inside a house or building during heavy rains.
• When a flood advisory is issued, residents in low lying areas
should seek for higher grounds
• Avoid wading and taking baths in floodwaters.
• Avoid crossing low-lying areas and bridges during evacuation
LESSON 2: WHAT TO DO BEFORE, DURING, & AFTER A LANDSLIDE
OTHER GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS MITIGATION STRATEGIES IN CASE OF LANDSLIDE
(LANDSLIDE & SINKHOLE) What to do before a landslide
LANDSLIDE 1. It’s good to secure clearance from MGB on status of possible
• Massive outward and downward movement of slope-forming landslides
materials 2. Prepare for evacuation
• The term landslide is restricted to movements of rocks and soil 3. Maintain list of emergency contact numbers
masses 4. Participate in tree-planting
• Initiated when a section of a hill slope is rendered too weak to 5. Participate in regular drills on evacuation procedure
support its own weight 6. Promote public awareness
• Generally triggered by other natural hazards 7. Develop family preparedness and evacuation plan
• Developed as a result of denudation of mountains or alteration
of the surface of the ground What to do during a landslide
1. Evacuate immediately if warned of an impending landslide or
SUBMARINE LANDSLIDE mudflow
2. Stay away from the path of landslide debris
• Earthquake shaking and other factors can also induce landslides
3. Get out of the house as soon as possible when the trembling of
underwater.
the ground is felt
4. Run across a slope not downwards
NATURAL CAUSES OF RAINFALL- INDUCED LANDSLIDE
• Ground water pressure
What to do after a landslide
• Loss or absence of vertical vegetation structure, soil nutrients,
1. Examine thoroughly the damaged parts and utilities of the
and soil structure
house before reoccupying it
• Weakening of a slope through saturation
2. Stay away from the landslide area
• Earthquake
3. Help check with caution injured and trapped persons within the
• Liquefaction
landslide areas and direct rescuers to their locations
• Volcanic eruptions 4. Listen to local radio or television stations for the latest
emergency information
ANTHROPOGENIC CAUSES OF RAINFALL- INDUCED LANDSLIDE
5. Seek the advice of a geotechnical expert to evacuate landslide
• Deforestation, cultivation, and construction
hazards
• Vibrations from machinery
• Blasting
SINKHOLE
• Removal of deep-rooted vegetation
• Common where the rock below the land surface is limestone
• Agricultural or forestry activities and carbonate rock
EFFECTS OF LANDSLIDE
• Describe to be dramatic
• Property damage
• Sudden collapse of the land can occur
• Injury and death
• Some hold water and build natural ponds
• Affect a variety of resources
• Cost to repair structures SIGNS OF IMPENDING GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS
• Loss of property value SINKHOLES
• Disruptions of transportation routes 1. Trees or fence posts that tilt or fall
• Medical costs 2. Foundations that slant
3. New small ponds that appear after rain
4. Cracks in the ground
5. Sudden drainage of the pond

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
1. Watch for signs of water disappearing from the surface
2. Check fields before undertaking machine- related activities
3. Check fields before undertaking machine- related activities
4. Keep tractors and heavy machinery far enough away from the
sinkhole
5. Sinkholes will be more prevalent during times of increased and
rapid rainfall
6. Call emergency hotlines and advised them of the sinkhole
7. Restrict access to the hole
8. Don’t get too close or go down the hole
9. Do not allow unauthorized persons to investigate the sinkhole

SIGNS OF IMPENDING GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS

A. LANDSLIDE
1. Earlier landslide as an indicator
2. Tension cracks
3. Things moving
4. Water doing something different
SYMPOSIUM Kendrick’s Extrication Spine Board C collar
FIRST AID Device
• Is an immediate care given to a person who has been injured or
suddenly taken ill. It includes self-help and home care if medical
assistance is not available or delayed.
• Assessments and interventions that can be performed by a
bystander (or by the victim) with minimal or no medical
equipment. (2006 update)

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A FIRST AIDER

• Bridge that fills the gap between the victim and the physician
DRESSING
– Providing first aid is not intended to compete nor
• Any sterile cloth materials
take the place of the service of a physician.
used to cover the wound.
– It ends when services of the physician begins.
• Ensures safety for him/herself and that of bystanders.
Other uses of the dressing:
• Gains access to the victim.
• Controls bleeding.
• Determines any threat to a victim’s life.
• Protects the wound from infection.
• Summons advanced medical care as needed.
• Absorbs liquid from the wound such
• Provides needed care for the victim.
as blood plasma, water & pus.
• Records all findings and care given to the victim.
BANDAGES
OBJECTIVES OF FIRST AID
• Are clean cloth materials, sterile or
• To alleviate suffering
not, use to hold the dressing in place.
• To prevent added/ further injury or danger
• To prolong life Other uses of bandages:
• Control bleeding.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD FIRST AIDER
• Tie splints in place.
• Gentle – should not cause pain.
• Immobilize body part.
• Resourceful – should make the best use of things at hand.
• For arm support – use as a sling.
• Observant – should notice all signs.
• Tactful – should not alarm the victim. TRIANGULAR BANDAGES
• Empathic – should be comforting.
• Respectable – should maintain a professional & caring attitude.

HINDRANCES IN GIVING FIRST AID

• Unfavorable surroundings
• The Presence of Crowds
• Pressure From Victim or Relatives

TRANSMISSION OF DISEASES
• DIRECT CONTACT – occurs when a person touches an infected
person's body fluids.
• INDIRECT CONTACT – occurs when a person touches objects
that have been contaminated by blood and other fluid of an
infected person.
• AIRBORNE – occurs when the person inhales infected droplets
as an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• VECTOR – occurs when an animal such as a dog or an insect,
such as tick, transmits a pathogen into the body through a bite.

PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT DISEASE TRANSMISSION

Body Substance Isolation
• Are precautions taken to isolate or prevent risk of exposure
from any other type of bodily substance.
Basic Precautions and Practices
• Personal Hygiene
• Protective Equipment
• Equipment Cleaning & Disinfecting

FIRST AID EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Basic Equipment
• Spine board • Set of splints
• Blanket • Poles
• Short board / Kendrick’s • Extrication Device
Suggested First Aid Kit
• Rubbing alcohol • Gloves • Band aid
• Povidone Iodine • Scissors • Plaster
• Cotton • Forceps
• Gauze pads • Triangular bandages
• Tongue depressor • Elastic roller bandage
• Penlight • Occlusive dressing