Modern Homemakers

Brace Yourselves, Typhoon Carina is Coming!

by Kevyn Gohu
July 23, 2024

With Typhoon Carina incoming, here are some things we can do to make sure we survive the typhoon.

Although typhoons are an annual occurrence in the Philippines, that doesn’t mean they’re fun to deal with. Families lose their homes and livelihoods, kids miss out on school, and sometimes, there are casualties usually furbabies who are left tied or in cages. Even with Typhoon Carina (also known as Typhoon Gaemi currently being at Signal No. 1 according to PAGASA, it’s already in Luzon and it’s not good to wait for it to get stronger!

Typhoon Carina's path based on PAGASA — Source: PAGASA Weather Bulletin

Best be prepared by doing these things:

1. Stock up on our food in the fridge!

While food deliveries offer convenience, we have to remember the people delivering the food have families as well. They’ll be braving the storms just to bring us our meal and they probably haven’t had a proper one of their own. They don’t even have cars to bring us the food; just their little motorbikes, scooters, or even bicycles!

So while the rain is still light, hit the markets and start stocking up. It doesn’t have to be a fancy meal; home cooking is just as delicious, especially during the rainy season. Some may even suggest buying from the wet market since once the rain hits, they’ll lose a lot of their produce.

2. Line the house with roach traps.

Rain doesn’t just flood the streets but causes pests like cockroaches to retreat inward towards the house to avoid being washed away. Condos, because they share a plumbing system, often find themselves stomping on at least five small cockroaches a day — probably even more now with the rain getting stronger. Line the house with roach traps so that it’ll keep the bugs away from the food.

If we have furbabies, keep them in small corners where they can’t fit. And if we come across a lizard (or our friendly neighborhood gecko or lizard), leave them be! They’re the natural predators of these pests.

3. Have a prepaid internet provider ready.

While some internet lines run underground, not all of them do. It’s always good to have two Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to prevent ourselves from getting cut off from the news or our kids’ schoolwork. One can be the main line which is usually a monthly billing and the other can be one of those portable prepaid broadband providers. That way, we don’t always have to spend for two internet lines. One’s just back up!

Smart-PLDT and Globe usually sell those in their outlet stores. And if that’s not available, use one of the phones that has a postpaid plan to be the internet provider for the meantime.

4. Keep a backup power source charged.

While condos have backup generators to provide light to their resident families, townhouses and houses may need one of those portable home generators to tide them over. Generators, because of their unsightly appearance and loud noise, weren’t always a top priority for families. Considering how typhoons can knock out the power lines, a generator can at least provide electricity to smaller devices like electric fans or lights.

It’s even more important especially when we have immunocompromised family members who rely on a certain life-sustaining device 24/7.

Updates on Typhoon Carina: Currently coming in from the north

Regarding Typhoon Carina, PAGASA reveals that it’s currently still affecting only Batanes. As of now, the aforementioned calamity is bringing more rainfall than wind which is a good thing. At least there’s no wind to knock down trees or powerlines to cause any damage at the moment.

However, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t remain vigilant of Typhoon Carina’s path. PAGASA predicts that the typhoon will eventually make its way to the center of the Philippines by tomorrow. As to what time, there’s no current prediction. The best thing we can do is be prepared for whatever the rains may bring — be it floods and slippery roads.