Residents strap roofs, harvest crops early as they brace for Henry's fury

Anticipating a strong typhoon, residents along the expected path of Henry have started reinforcing their houses, packing things in case they need to evacuate and moving their animals to safer grounds.

“Habang wala pa, nagtatali [ng bubong] na kami para safety na kami. Pagtapos namin magtali dito pupunta ako sa bahay para magtali rin para safety ang pamilya namin,” Darwin Salamagos, a resident of Batanes, said.

(While the typhoon is not yet here, we are starting to tie and secure our roofs for our safety. I will also secure our homes for the safety of our family.)

Super Typhoon Hinnamnor with local designation “Henry” entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Wednesday.

In the province of Batanes, the damage caused by Typhoon Kiko last year was still visible including the cracks on the roads of national highway which raised concern among local authorities that the destruction could worsen with the new typhoon.

“Humingi na ako ng tulong sa MGB (Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau) para i-assess nila kung kaya na imano mano namin ito or kailangan ng blasting kasi baka galawin namin ay pagmalaki ang mahulog doon baka pati ang mismong daan mahulog sa dagat,” Batanes governor Marilou Cayco said in Ivy Hernando’s “24 Oras” report on Wednesday.

(I asked help from the MGB so that it can assess if we can handle it or if we need blasting because if we move it, and big rocks fall from there, maybe the road itself will fall into the sea.)

The MGB said it will deploy personnel to examine the road cracks.

Meanwhile, fishermen were also advised to avoid sailing during heavy rains, while farmers were urged to secure their animals in safe areas.

“Sinabihan na rin namin na ilagay sa ligtas na lugar ang kanilang mga alagang hayop at anihin na ang mga gulay at ibang root crops na para masigurado na hindi matira ng bagyo,” Cayco said.

(We also told them to put their livestock in a safe place and to harvest their vegetables and other root crops early so they would not be destroyed by the typhoon.)

Heavy equipment, rescue teams, and evacuation centers were also prepared in case of emergency evacuations.

“Kami po ay ayaw magpaka-kampante, ganun pa man ay nakikita natin na hindi sigurong direkta tatama sa atin ang bagyo eh ganun din po parehas din po ang paghahanda namin,” Batanes Disaster Risk Reduction Management officer Roldan Esdicul said.

(We don't want to be complacent, even if we don't see the typhoon directly hitting us.  We still want to be prepared.)

“Hindi tatama sa lupa ng Pilipinas yan kasi nandito na siya sa dulo ng PAR tapos ang direksyon niya is northwest,” Constantino Gavilan, chief meteorological officer of PAGASA Batanes, said.

(It will not hit the landmass of the Philippines because it is already here at the end of the PAR and its direction is northwest.)

Several farmers and fishermen in Canaan and Sorsogon have started harvesting their crops and have tied their boats into safe areas.

According to Joseph Morong’s “24 Oras” report on Wednesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) held meetings with its various offices in Northern Luzon area.

“There will be thunderstorms and localized weather which will bring flash floods and landslides lalo na medyo saturated yung mga some portions of our areas,” Assistant Secretary Raffy Alejandro, deputy director for operations of the NDRRMC, said.

The agency said possible flash floods may occur in some parts of Metro Manila despite the super typhoon will not directly hit the area.

“Yan ang delikado sa atin, kahit 30 minutes na ulan may mga areas tayong biglang tataas magkaroon ng flooding,” Alejandro said.

(That is the danger, even if it rains for only 30 minutes, there are areas that will get flooded immediately.)

Meanwhile, residents in Baseco Compound, Tondo said they are ready to evacuate in case possible heavy rains.

“Yung chairman namin, pag may masamang parating kagaya ng bagyo, magpapaikot po yan ng tanod tapos kung medyo malakas talaga pinapalikas niya po,” resident Efren Abiera said.

(When there's a calamity like a typhoon, our barangay chairman would deploy men to check the residents.  If needed, some are evacuated.)

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) advised local officials to prepare for pre-emptive evacuations if needed.

“Isang kinakailangan gawin ng mga LGUs ay mag-stockpile at mag-prioritize ng (LGUs needed to stockpile and prioritize) pre-positioning of supplies and equipment to respond to any eventuality like generator sets, gasoline, portable water, food packs, and first aid kits,” DILG Assistant Secretary Mario Iringan said.

According to meteorologist Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz's report on "24 Oras,” Henry entered PAR at around 5:30 p.m., becoming the second active tropical cyclone within the area of responsibility, along with Tropical Depression Gardo.—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA News