5 Things to do Before, During, After “Baha” in your Home

Habagat and Amihan are the two-monsoon which affect the weather in the Philippines. Amihan (northeast monsoon) occurs in November-April which refers to the season dominated by the trade winds. Known as the dry season for the most part. While Habagat (southwest monsoon) occurs in May-October which is the season where hot and humid weather, frequent heavy rainfall is to be expected.

With the ongoing nationwide road widening under the Department of Public Work and Highways (DPWH), here’s the progress of the project as said by DPWH Sec. Mark Villar,

“We have widened 1,908 km of roads, built 328 kilometer of bypasses and diversion roads, 393 kilometers of missing gaps connecting national roads, and 1,316 km of access roads”

The Philippines is no stranger to flooding. And a mix of heightened roads with non-stop rain, nationwide flooding is expected to happen. “Baha” is as real as you can get.

To keep you and your family safe in your home, here 5 of each to do before, during, and after “baha”

5 Things to do Before “Baha”

1. Be Alert

Have constant weather updates. Stay tuned about weather forecast from PAG ASA. Stay in the clear of your surroundings.

If a flash flood warning was raised in your area. Do not hesitate. Move your family to a higher safe ground.

2. Assemble disaster supplies.

The disaster supplies could include the following:

• Cash
• Food and drinking water (canned goods with valid expiry date, crackers inside a vacuum packing, nuts and trail mix, power bars and granola bars)
• Emergency kit/ First aid supplies (plaster in varying sizes, tweezers, safety pins, bandages, tablets: painkillers, antihistamine, alcohol-free cleansing wipe or any skin disinfection product)
• Clothing and toiletries
• Battery powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries
• Airtight sealed in plastic of important documents: insurance papers, medical records, bank account numbers.
• Ready up a disaster supply kit for each family member if needed.

3. Protect your property

• Move your valuables to higher levels.
• Unplug unnecessary gadgets

4. Review your Family Disaster Plan

• Discuss a flood plan with the family
• Ready up a location for meet up, a person to contact, and waterproof shockproof phone that could last long in this situation.

5. Be prepared to evacuate.

5 Things to do During “Baha”

1. Be alert. Stay posted. Never jump in the flowing water.

2. If the home is no longer safe during the flood, best to head straight to the evacuation center

3. Bring with you the assembled disaster supplies.

4. Remember the family disaster plan.

5. If possible, keep your doors locked, safe hidden and other valuables put in a higher place. Turn off fuse box at home.

5 Things to do After “Baha”

1. Keep posted with the weather update. Never return home until it is safe.

2. Avoid wandering and travel with care.

3. Upon returning home, snap some pictures for the insurance company. Also, do the following:

• Throw away medical care, food, water that had contact with flooded water (even canned goods)
• Restrict children from playing in flooded areas.
• About electricity, avoid turning on the fuse. Recheck first the outlets. If not sure, best to contact an electrician.
• For ventilation, keep your windows open.
• To avoid further structural damage, pumped and clean out dirt and water left from flooding.

4. Doing property repairs, if you have the budget best to consider the elevation of the entire structure or you could start with elevating utilities like washing machine, dryer, refrigerator.

5. Be alert.

Flashfloods are natural disasters that could still be avoided with proper planning and adequate evacuation. Be sure to remember these things to do while living in Lancaster New City Cavite as no one can be too comfortable when there is an impending calamity.