Typhoon Julian Leveling Up Into The Super Typhoon Category
Typhoon Julian’s steady growth into the Super Typhoon category may be a call for schools and businesses to close for the day.
As Typhoon Julian steadily grows stronger, it’s a warning that schools and businesses may have to go off-site for a day or two. According to the DOST-PAGASA’s 17th cyclone bulletin, its “severe winds” are bringing in “heavy rains” which they predict will hit the northern areas such as Pangasinan, Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Romblon, and Bicol Region first. Besides roaring gales and possible floods, we might need to prepare for spotty internet, restock on goods, and charge our emergency power supplies.
How strong is Typhoon Julian?
It looks like the typhoon won’t be letting up. Already declaring Signal No. 4 in Ilocos Norte, Catanduanes, and Batanes at 8:00 AM this morning, DOST-PAGASA already clocked with winds at 175 km/hr (which is faster than any car could ever run on the highway) and the gusts near the “eye” of the storm reaching up to 215 km/hr. However, the organization predicts that, if it continues moving 10 km northwest, the typhoon will hopefully be out by October 5, 2024.
Some decisions we need to make as parents
With the threat of Typhoon Julian looming, we need to make some decisions — fast. While we might have to sacrifice some things (e.g. time in school, time with friends, some meetings), the guilt can set in but you’re not alone! As parents, we’re always trying to get something done but there are just some things beyond our control. Remember, many of us have our limits; we don’t always have to push them, especially if they’re life-threatening.
1. If the skies look dark heading to our kids’ school then, keep them at home.
Sometimes, we just have to listen to our gut. Not all schools are quick to pick up on PAG-ASA’s announcements, leaving us to make the decision. Now if our instincts are telling us that the streets and avenues will flood and strand our kids there, it’s good to listen to them. Prepare a car that can wade through the floods and expect heavy traffic.
These self-declared suspensions can still be a teaching moment for our kids. Consider it as meteorology day: How do typhoons form? Where do the winds come from? How can they reduce the floods from destroying their home?
Online schools have a visible advantage but if the internet doesn’t work then, it’s okay. Teachers, please be mindful that not all kids during the typhoon season have stable internet.
2. Cook vs Order Out
Both have their pros and cons. Ordering out from our favorite food delivery service may take longer and cost more but, it works for parents working at home. Don’t forget to tip the delivery people; they’re the ones wading through the waters for us!
Cooking, on the other hand, takes a lot of effort but it’s cheaper and healthier. It’s also a possible teaching moment for the family as they become more involved with house operations. Have them wash the dishes, chop certain ingredients, marinate the meat, etc. — these small tasks develop our kids’ motor skills too!
3. Temporarily house stray cats and dogs
We’re always fawning over cat and dog videos so, it’s time to put that into practice! Although this doesn’t mean always bringing them completely into the deeper areas of our home, allowing them to stay in our garages or small nooks and crannies helps. If we have food to spare them then, we can give them. If they hiss or growl, take note that some of them may have been hurt so just leaving it nearby is fine.
4. Bring in your laundry
Nobody likes doing laundry, especially if they’re linens for king-sized or queen-sized beds. Bring them in.
5. Keep trash bags sealed!
If we’re throwing out our trash, make sure we keep the trashbags sealed or find a more stable container to store everything. The last thing we need is to contribute to the already-struggling flood management system of the roads with our loose plastic bags, leftover food, blobs of knotted hair and tissue from cleaning the drain, and other things we had to clean out.
6. Plug up whatever holes in the house we can.
As the rain starts the pour, so do the bugs. Like any animal, they seek shelter and our houses are like their Garden of Eden. The unfortunate thing is they don’t just leave either so, best to start plugging those holes up with epoxy — a kind of building putty we can easily grab from hardware stores. They come in several materials: concrete, steel, and even wood. Plugging things up not only stops the bugs but preserves whatever furniture we have in storage too!
Always check PAG-ASA for Typhoon updates!
As of 11:00 AM, Typhoon Julian has already entered the Philippines with Batanes and the Cabuyan islands getting hit first.
Unfortunately, predicting typhoons is a fickle affair: they tend to change directions out of nowhere. As people, we can’t control nature. But we can help others prepare if we have excess. If we have extra food, water, clothes, or even cleaning materials, we can extend it to other families who need it. Keeping them healthy during the typhoon season means also fewer problems for us. Lower chances of diseases growing, they get to eat, and most of all — we might make a new friend.
More about calamity management?
The Impact of Natural Disasters on a Child’s Well-being
Vital Reasons Why Parents Should Be Teaching Disaster Preparedness
How To Promote Disaster Preparedness in Kids
