How to Survive a Typhoon

The best way to survive a typhoon is to make preparations before a typhoon warning is issued. After the warning, only a few tasks must be completed before retreating into the house or emergency shelter.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Before the Typhoon Strikes

1. Get out your typhoon plan and kit, and pack evacuation bags as outlined in the related eHow article "How to Prepare for a Typhoon."

2. Board the windows to prevent flying objects from breaking them. If you can't board the windows, put wide masking, packing or duct tape across the panes to keep the glass from shattering if they do break.

3. Check outside the house for anything loose that could be caught in the wind and strike your windows. Put away garbage cans, toys and tools.

4. Turn off everything that runs on house power except for the refrigerator. Move expensive items off the floors and away from windows to keep them from getting wet.

5. Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the lowest settings to keep the contents cold longer if electrical power is interrupted.

6. Turn on a battery-powered radio and listen for weather updates.

During the Storm

1. Keep everyone calm. Listen to music between weather reports and play the games that you packed in your typhoon kit.

2. Stay inside. The greatest danger isn't the wind and rain, but flying objects like signs, mailboxes, tree limbs and other debris. Stay inside even if the weather calms. If the eye of the storm passes over the house, it will seem as if the storm is over, but soon the wind and rain will be even worse. Wait for official word that it's safe to leave your home.

3. Sit far away from the windows in case they break.

4. Move downwind within your house. At first the wind will be coming from the east, so move to the west side of the house; if the wind changes direction move to the other side.

After the Typhoon

1. Check on your neighbors to see if they need assistance. Survey your house and yard for damage. If possible, take photos to show to emergency services or your insurance company.

2. Stay off the telephone except for emergencies. Make a quick call to your out-of-state contact to say everyone is safe.

3. Pool your resources with your neighbors. Have an impromptu cookout and block party with whatever is in everyone's refrigerators if power is out and you need to eat food that will go bad soon.

4. Watch for downed power lines, contaminated water and dangerous animals that were driven to higher ground by the storm.

Tips & Warnings

• Have everyone in the house shower and put on clean clothes. Cook a meal, then do the dishes and laundry. It may be several days before you can do these things again.

• If the sky is clear and electrical power is off, you will have a rare stargazing opportunity.

• Don't try to evacuate at the last minute because the roads will either be jammed with traffic or impassable. Stay at home unless it's absolutely necessary to leave.