MANILA, Philippines—As Typhoon “Hagupit” threatens to hit the Philippines, particularly the Eastern Visayas and Mindanao region, an international non-government organization has warned people to prepare ahead of time.

“These are the kind of things we teach our communities in terms of preparedness,” Carin van der Hor (@CarinAtPlan), country director of Plan International Philippines told INQUIRER.net in an interview Wednesday.

“In fact, all of these preparedness measures can be taken (and should be taken) way before a storm comes in sight,” she said.

Plan International Philippines is a global NGO conducting recovery and rehabilitation projects in the areas devastated by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) a little over a year ago.

The #InquirerSeven things to do to prepare for a storm according to Plan International:

1. Communication plan

“Make a family communications plan so that you can establish the whereabouts of all family members (and keep mobile phones charged!). Stay in contact but have a plan in case cell phone coverage disappears during the storm; like a pre-destined meetup place where you can find each other once it is safe to go out again.”

2. Get updated

“Stay informed, follow the news and the announcements. Make sure you have a small battery operated radio: it is likely that there will be a power outage during and after the storm. Bring it with you if you have to evacuate.”

3. Obey evacuation orders

“Follow instructions from government officials on (pre-emptive) evacuation at all times.”

4. Secure yourselves

“Stay in a safe place; be aware which areas are prone to floods, landslides etc. and which buildings are safe enough to withstand a typhoon.”

5. Prepare supplies

“Have emergency supplies ready and have them ready to carry out in a small backpack so you can have your hands free. These should include some non-perishable food, water or water purification tablets or drops, flashlights and extra batteries. Don’t forget some basic toiletries and some disinfectant to keep yourself clean.”

6. Disaster gear

“Have sturdy shoes ready to use when you have to evacuate. Don’t forget to seal important family documents in plastic and carry them with you if you have to evacuate.”

7. Protect property

“Secure your property: before a storm hits, trim trees, secure roofs and cover windows.”

Here are more tips to take into consideration ahead of a typhoon.

Originally posted: 3:20 PM | Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014

RELATED STORIES

Palace tells public: Follow storm warnings, evacuation procedures

Tips to keep you and your families safe during a typhoon