UBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNAL 1 (PSWS #1)

 The initial warning to be raised once a Tropical Cyclone is to threaten a certain area.
 PSWS #1 is valid once the storm reaches Tropical Depression category.

This warning notes that the winds may only very light or no damage at all may be sustained by the
exposed communities, unless this warning signal is upgraded during the entire existence of the
tropical cyclone.
WEATHER CONDITIONS

 A tropical cyclone will threaten/affect an area.

 Winds of 30-60 kph is expected.
 Intermittent rains may be expected in at least 36 hours. (When the tropical cyclone develops
very close to an area, a shorter lead time of the occurrence of the winds will be specified in the
warning bulletin.)

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS MEASURES

 When the tropical cyclone intensifies and moves closer, this warning signal number may be
upgraded.
 The waves on coastal waters may gradually develop and swell.
 The people are advised to listen to the latest severe weather bulletin issued by PAGASA every
six hours.
 Business may be carried out as usual except when floods occur.
 Disaster preparedness units are activated to alert status.

AGRICULTURAL IMPACTS

 Twigs and branches of small trees may be broken.

  Some banana plants may be tilted or uprooted.
 Rice crops in flowering stage may suffer significant damage.
 Minor damage to banana trees [Musa spp.] and near-coastal agriculture, primarily from salt spray.
 Some small dead limbs, ripe coconuts, and dead palm fronds blown from trees.
 Some fragile and tender green leaves blown from trees such as papaya [Carica papaya] and fleshly broad leaf plants.

PROPERTY IMPACTS

 Some houses of very light materials may be partially unroofed.

 Only very light or no damage may be sustained by areas affected.
 Damage done to only the flimsiest lean-to type structures.
 Unsecured light signs blown down.

COASTAL AND SURGE IMPACTS

 On windward coasts, sea level rise of 2-4 ft (0.7-1.2 m) above normal in open bays and inlets due to storm surge and wind-
driven waves.
 Breaking waves inside bays can reach 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m); 1-2 ft (0.3-0.7 m) of additional water over reefs.
 Very rough surf at reef margin with strong along-shore currents (rip tides) inside reefs.

PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNAL 2 (PSWS #2)

  PSWS #2 is valid once the storm reaches Tropical Storm and/or Severe Tropical Storm
category.
 This warning notes that the winds may bring light to moderate damage to the exposed
communities.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

 A tropical cyclone will affect an area.

 Winds of greater than 61 kph and up to 120 kph may be expected in at least 24 hours.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS MEASURES

 The sea and coastal waters are dangerous to small sea craft.
 Special attention should be given to the latest position, direction and movement speed, and
intensity of the storm as it moves toward an area.
 The public especially people traveling by sea and air are cautioned.
 Outdoor activities of children should be postponed.
 Secure properties before the signal is upgraded.
 Disaster preparedness agencies/organizations are in action to alert their communities.

AGRICULTURAL IMPACTS

 Some coconut trees may tilt; some of them may break.

 Few big trees may be uprooted.
 Many banana plants may be downed.
 Rice and corn crops may be affected.
 Moderate damage to banana trees, papaya trees, and most fleshy crops.
 Large dead limbs, ripe coconuts, nay dead palm fronds, some green leaves, and small branches are blown from tree.
 PROPERTY IMPACTS COASTAL AND SURGE IMPACTS

 A large number of houses made of light materials may be
unroofed.
 Old galvanized iron roofing may be peeled off.
 Minor damage to buildings of light material
 Major damage to huts made of thatch or loosely attached
corrugated sheet metal or plywood.
 Unattached corrugated sheet metal and plywood may become
airborne.
 Wooden signs not supported with guy wires are blown down.
 On windward coasts, sea level rise of 2-4 ft (0.7-1.2 m) above
normal in open bays and inlets due to storm surge and wind-
driven waves
 Breaking waves inside bays can reach 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m); 1-2 ft
(0.3-0.7 m) of additional water over reefs.
 Very rough surf at reef margin with strong along-shore currents
(rip tides) inside reefs.

PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNAL 3 (PSWS #3)

 PSWS #3 is valid once the storm reaches Typhoon category.
 Warning roughly covers Category 1 and Category 2 typhoons on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.
 This warning notes that the winds may bring moderate to heavy damage may be experienced, particularly in the agricultural
and industrial sectors.
 WEATHER CONDITIONS

 A Strong Typhoon will affect an area.

 Winds of greater than 121 kph up to 170 kph may be expected in at least 18 hours.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS MEASURES

 The weather condition is dangerous to the communities affected.

 The sea and coastal waters will be very dangerous to all seacraft.
 Travel is very risky especially by air and sea.
 People are advised to seek shelter in strong buildings, evacuate low-lying areas, and stay away
from the coasts and riverbanks.
 Watch out for the passage of the eye of the typhoon indicated by a sudden occurrence of fair
weather immediately after very bad weather, with very strong winds coming generally from th
north.
 When the eye of the typhoon hits the community, do not venture away from the safe shelter
because after one to two hours, the worst weather will resume, with the very strong winds
coming from the south.
 Classes in all levels should be suspended and children should stay in the safety of strong
buildings.
 Disaster preparedness and response agencies/organizations are in action with appropriate
response to emergency.

AGRICULTURAL IMPACTS -- Note: Impacts vary as typhoon winds increases

In General:

 Many coconut trees may be broken or destroyed.

 Almost all banana plants may be downed and a large number of trees may be uprooted.
 Rice and corn crops may suffer heavy losses.
 For Typhoon winds 120 to 145 KPH (10-minute average)
 Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may
be toppled.
 Major damage to banana trees, papaya trees, and fleshy crops.
 Some young trees downed when the ground is saturated.
 Some palm fronds crimped and bent back through the crown of
coconut palms; A few palm fronds torn from the crowns of most
types of palm trees; Many ripe coconuts blown from coconut
palms.
 Less than 10% defoliation of shrubbery and trees; up to 10%
defoliation of tagantangan.
 Some small tree limbs downed, especially from large bushy and
frail trees such as mango, African tulip, Poinciana, etc.
PROPERTY IMPACTS -- Note: Impacts vary as typhoon winds increases
In General
 Majority of light material houses may be unroofed or destroyed.
 There may be considerable damage to structures of light to medium construction.
 There may be widespread disruption of electrical power and communication services.
For Typhoon winds 120 to 145 KPH (10-minute average)
 A few wooden, non-reinforced power poles tilted, and some
rotten power poles broken.
 Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in
power outages that could last a few to several days.
 Corrugated metal and plywood stripped from poorly constructed
For Typhoon winds 146 to 170 KPH (10-minute average)
 Exposed banana trees and papaya trees totally destroyed.
 10-20% defoliation of trees and shrubbery.
 Light damage to sugar cane and bamboo.
 Many palm fronds crimped and bent through the crown of
coconut palms and several green fronds ripped from palm trees
 Some green coconuts blown from trees.
 Some trees blown down, especially shallow rooted ones such as
acacia, mango, and breadfruit when the ground becomes
saturated.
For Typhoon winds 146 to 170 KPH (10-minute average)
 Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and
block numerous roads.
 Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last
from several days to weeks.
 Several rotten wooden power poles snapped and many non-
 or termite-infested structures and may become airborne.
 Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof,
shingles, vinyl siding and gutters.
 Some damage to poorly constructed, loosely attached signs.
COASTAL AND SURGE IMPACTS -- Note: Impacts vary as typhoon winds increases
For Typhoon winds 120 to 145 KPH (10-minute average)
 On windward coasts, sea level rise of 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m) above
normal in open bays and inlets due to storm surge and wind-
driven waves
 Breaking waves inside bays can reach 5-7 ft (1.5-2.1 m) above
normal; 2-3 ft (0.6-1.0 m) of additional water over reefs.
 Wind driven waves may inundate low-lying coastal roads where
reefs are narrow.
 Minor pier damage.
 Some small craft in exposed anchorages break moorings.
PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNAL 4 (PSWS #4)
 PSWS #4 is valid once the storm reaches Typhoon category.
 Warning roughly covers Category 3 and Category 4 typhoons on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.
reinforced wooden power poles tilted.
 Some secondary power lines downed.
 Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and
siding damage.
 Damage to wooden and tin roofs, and doors and windows of
termite-infested or rotted wooden structures, but no major
damage to well-constructed wooden, sheet metal, or concrete
buildings.
 Major damage to poorly constructed, attached signs.
 Considerable damage to structures made of light materials.
For Typhoon winds 146 to 170 KPH (10-minute average)
 On windward coasts, sea level rise of 6-8 ft (1.8-2.4 m) above
normal in open bays and inlets due to storm surge and wind-
driven waves
 Breaking waves inside bays can reach 7-9 ft (2.1-2.7 m) above
normal; 3-5 ft (1.0-1.5 m) of additional water over reefs.
 Wind-driven waves will inundate low-lying coastal roads below
4 ft (1.0 m) on windward locations where reefs are narrow.
 Some erosion of beach areas, some moderate pier damage, and
some large boats torn from moorings.
  This warning notes that the winds may bring very heavy damage to affected communities.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

 A Very Strong Typhoon will affect the area.

 Very strong winds of greater than 171 kph up to 220 kph may be expected in at least 12
hours.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS MEASURES

 The situation is potentially very destructive to the community.

 All travels and outdoor activities should be cancelled.
 Evacuation to safer shelters should have been completed.
 The area is very likely to be hit directly by the eye of the typhoon.
 As the eye of the typhoon approaches, the weather will worsen continuously, with winds
increasing to its strongest coming generally from the north.
 A sudden improvement of the weather with light winds will be experienced, which means the
area is under the eye of the typhoon.
 Depending on the eye’s diameter and movement speed, this improved weather may last for an
hour or two.
 As the eye moves out of the area, weather conditions will worsen, with strong winds generally
coming from the south.
 The disaster coordinating councils concerned and other disaster response organizations are
now fully responding to emergencies.

AGRICULTURAL IMPACTS -- Note: Impacts vary as typhoon winds increases

In General

 Coconut plantations may suffer extensive damage.

  Many large trees may be uprooted.
 Rice and corn plantation may suffer severe losses.
For Typhoon winds 171 to 195 KPH (10-minute average)
 Major damage to shrubbery and trees; up to 50% of palm fronds
bent or blown off
 Numerous ripe and many green coconuts blown off coconut
palms; crowns blown from a few palm trees.
 Moderate damage to sugar cane and bamboo.
 Some large trees -- palm trees, breadfruit, monkeypod, mango,
acacia and Australian pines -- blown down when the ground
becomes saturated
 30-50% defoliation of most trees and shrubs
 Some very exposed panax, tangantangan, and oleander bent
over.
PROPERTY IMPACTS -- Note: Impacts vary as typhoon winds increases
In General
 Most residential and institutional buildings of mixed construction may be severely damaged.
 Electrical power distribution and communication services may be severely disrupted.
For Typhoon winds 195 to 220 KPH (10-minute average)
 Shrubs and trees 50-90% defoliate; up to 100% of tangantangan
defoliated.
 Up to 75% of palm fronds bent, twisted, or blown off; many
crowns stripped from palm trees.
 Numerous green and virtually all ripe coconuts blown from
trees.
 Severe damage to sugar cane and bamboo.
 Many large trees blown down -- palms, breadfruit, monkeypod,
mango, acacia, and Australian pine.
 Considerable bark and some pulp removed from trees; most
standing trees are void of all but the largest branches (severely
pruned), with remaining branches stubby in appearance;
numerous trunks and branches are sandblasted.
 Patches of panax, tangantangan, and oleander are flattened.
 For Typhoon winds 171 to 195 KPH (10-minute average)
 Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of
roof decking and gable ends.
 Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous
roads.
 A few non-reinforced hollow-spun concrete power poles broken
or tilted and may non-reinforced wooden power poles broken or
blown down; many secondary power lines downed.
 Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to
weeks after the storm passes.
 Practically all poorly constructed signs blown down and some
stand-alone steel-framed signs bent over.
 Some roof, window, and door damage to well-built, wooden and
metal residences and utility buildings.
 Extensive damage to wooden structures weakened by termite
infestation, wet-and-dry wood rot, and corroded roof straps
(hurricane clips).
 Non-reinforced cinderblock walls blown down.
 Many mobile homes and buildings made of light materials
destroyed.
 Some glass failure due to flying debris, but only minimal glass
failure due to pressure forces associated with extreme gusts.
 Some unsecured construction cranes blown down.
 Air is full of light projectiles and debris.
COASTAL AND SURGE IMPACTS -- Note: Impacts vary as typhoon winds increases
For Typhoon winds 171 to 195 KPH (10-minute average)
For Typhoon winds 195 to 220 KPH (10-minute average)
 Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss o
most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls.
 Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles
downed.
 Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas.
 Power outages will last weeks to possibly months.
 Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
 Some reinforced hollow-spun concrete and many reinforced
wooden power poles blown down; numerous secondary and a
few primary power lines downed.
 Extensive damage to non-concrete roofs; complete failure of
many roof structures, window frames and doors, especially
unprotected, non-reinforced ones; many well-built wooden and
metal structures severely damaged or destroyed.
 Considerable glass failures due to flying debris and explosive
pressure forces created by extreme wind gusts.
 Weakly reinforced cinderblock walls blown down.
 Complete disintegration of mobile homes and other structures o
lighter materials not tied down.
 Most small and medium-sized steel-framed signs bent over of
blown down.
 Some secured construction cranes and gantry cranes blown
down.
 Some fuel storage tanks may rupture.
 Air is full of large projectiles and debris.
For Typhoon winds 195 to 220 KPH (10-minute average)
  On windward coasts, sea level rise of 9-12 ft (2.7-3.6 m) above
normal in open bays and inlets due to storm surge and wind-
driven waves
 Breaking waves inside bays can reach 11-14 ft (3.3-4.2 m) above
normal, 5-7 ft (1.5-2.1 m) of additional water across reefs.
 Wind-driven waves will inundate low-lying coastal roads below
7 ft (2.1 m) of elevation on windward locations where reefs are
narrow.
 Considerable beach erosion.
 Many large boats and some large ships torn from moorings.
 On windward coasts, sea level rise of d13-18 ft (3.9-5.5 m)
above normal in open bays and inlets due to storm surge and
wind-driven waves
 Breaking waves inside bays can reach 15-24 ft (4.5-7.3 m)
above normal; 8-12 ft (2.4-3.7 m) of additional water over reefs
 Wind-driven waves will inundate coastal areas below 12 ft (3.7
m) elevation.
 Large boulders carried inland with waves.
 Severe beach erosion.
 Severe damage to port facilities including some loading derrick
and gantry cranes.
 Most ships torn from moorings.

PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNAL 5 (PSWS #5)

 The highest warning, PSWS #5 is valid once the storm reaches Super Typhoon category.
 Warning roughly covers Category 5 typhoons on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.
 This warning notes that the winds may bring widespread and devastating damage to affected communities.

WEATHER
CONDITIONS

 An
Intense,
Super
Typhoon
will affe
the area.
 Intense
 winds
of more
than 220
kph may
be
expected
in at
least 12
hours.

DISASTER
PREPAREDNE
SS MEASURE

 The
situation
is
potential
y extrem
ly
destruct
ve or
catastro
hic to th
commun
y.
 All trave
and
outdoor
activities
should b
cancelled
 Evacuati
n to safe
shelters
should
have bee
complete
since it
may hav
been too
late for
this
situation
 Shelters
should b
made of
concrete
and abov
ground,
over the
storm
surge
level of
the
typhoon
 The area
is very
likely to
be hit
directly
by the ey
of the
typhoon.
 As the
 eye of th
typhoon
approach
s, the
weather
will
worsen
continuo
sly, with
winds
increasin
to its
stronges
coming
generally
from the
north.
 A sudden
improve
ent of th
weather
with ligh
winds w
be
experien
ed, whic
means th
area is
under the
eye of th
typhoon.
 This
improve
 weather
may last
for one t
two hour
dependin
on the
diameter
of the ey
and the
speed of
moveme
t.
 As the
eye
moves o
of the
locality,
the wors
weather
experien
ed before
the lull
will
suddenly
commen
e. This
time the
very
strong
winds w
come
generally
from the
 south.
 The
disaster
coordina
ng
councils
concerne
and othe
disaster
response
organiza
ons are
now full
respondi
g to
emergen
es and in
full
readines
to
immedia
ely
respond
possible
calamity
AGRICULTURAL IMPACTS

 Total damage to banana plantation.

 Most tall trees are broken, uprooted, or defoliated.
 Coconut trees are stooped, broken, or uprooted.
 Few plants and trees survive.
 Shrubs and trees up to 100% defoliated; numerous large trees blown down.
 Up to 100% of palm fronds bent, twisted, or blown off; numerous crowns blown from palm trees; virtually all coconuts blown
from trees.
 Most bark and considerable pulp removed from trees.
 Most standing trees are void of all but the largest branches, which are very stubby in appearance and severely sandblasted.

PROPERTY IMPACTS

 Almost total damage to structures of light materials, especially in highly exposed coastal areas.
 A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse.
 Complete roof failure on many buildings. Total failure of non-concrete reinforced roofs.
 Severe and extensive window and door damage.
 Extensive glass failure due to impact of flying debris and explosive pressure forces during extreme gusts.
 Most residential and institutional buildings of mixed construction may be severely damaged.
 Extensive or total destruction to non-concrete residences and industrial buildings.
 Some structural damage to concrete structures, especially from large debris, such as cars, large appliances, etc.
 Electrical power distribution and communication services severely disrupted.
 Severe damage to some solid concrete power poles, to numerous reinforced hollow-spun concrete power poles, to many steel
towers, and to virtually all wooden poles; all secondary power lines and most primary power lines downed.
 Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months.
 All signboards blown down.
 Many well-constructed storm shutters ripped from structures.
 Some fuel storage tanks rupture.
 Nearly all construction cranes blown down.
  Air full of very large and heavy projectiles and debris.
 Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas.
 Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.

COASTAL AND SURGE IMPACTS

 On windward coasts, sea level rise of >25 ft (>7.6 m) above normal in open bays and inlets due to storm surge and wind-driven
waves
 Breaking waves inside bays can be > 30 ft 99.2 m) above normal; 12-18 ft (3.7-5.5 m) of additional water over reefs. Serious
inundation likely for windward coastal areas below 18 ft (5.5m) elevation.
 Very large boulders carried inland with waves.
 Extensive beach erosion.
 Extensive damage to port facilities including most loading derricks, gantry cranes, and fuel piers.
 Virtually all ships, regardless of size, torn from moorings and many sunk.