US tells citizens: Be wary of storms

Ahead of the typhoon season, the US Embassy in Manila issued a message from the state department, reminding Americans to begin making the necessary preparations for tropical cyclones.

The hurricane and typhoon seasons in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico are anticipated to last through November with tropical cyclones developing between May and October, the message said.

It cited a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) recommendation for citizens in hurricaneor typhoon-prone areas, including the Philippines, to start preparing for tropical cyclones this month.

The US State Department noted that Americans were previously forced to delay travel, including flying back to the United States, because of infrastructure damage to airports and the limited availability of flights.

Citizens were advised to get more information on the potential danger or inconvenience of traveling during a typhoon or hurricane before finalizing their travel plans.

“If you live in or are traveling to storm-prone regions, prepare by organizing a kit in a waterproof container that includes a supply of bottled water, nonperishable food items, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, any medications taken regularly, and vital documents, especially your passport and other identification,” the message said.

“Emergency shelters often provide only very basic resources and may have limited medical and food supplies,” it said.

Based on data from Noaa’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center, the typhoon season in the western and central Pacific, where the Philippines is located, runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.