Super Typhoon Yolanda aka Super Typhoon Haiyan

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RoboOp

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Aug 4, 2008
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#1
In America we call it a hurricane; in this part of the world it's called a typhoon. It's the same thing, if you don't know. There are many each year that hit the Philippines but this one is expected to be the worst this year, and it's headed straight for Cebu (our province). It's a "super typhoon" which is equivalent to category 4 and category 5 hurricanes.

According to weather.com.ph the maximum sustained winds "have rapidly increased to 280 km/hr [175 mph] near the center with higher gusts". I believe that makes it a category 5 hurricane in American terms. [UPDATE: now maximum sustained winds have increased to 190 mph]

We've felt the effects of typhoons hitting other parts of the Philippines but I don't know if we've had one come this close and also one this powerful. Malls closed early tonight here in Cebu because it's expected to hit our area tomorrow afternoon, and people need to prepare.

It will be somewhat buffered by a couple island provinces that it hits before Cebu. They're gonna get hit really hard. It may be pretty strong here too or strong enough to cause a lot of inconvenience such as loss of power. We'll see.

People were advised to stock up on food so that's exactly what we did tonight. Many have also been evacuated from the most vulnerable areas.

Keep in mind that in the Philippines many people live in simple housing (some just huts, or less than that), so this is very dangerous for some people.

One of the main cities that it will hit first (before it comes to Cebu) is Ormoc. I was in Ormoc once a couple years ago and I remember being told there that a typhoon hit them years prior and killed thousands, I think they said. Well it looks like they're gonna get hit really hard again now.
 
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RoboOp

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Aug 4, 2008
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#2
Re: Super Typhoon Yolanda

Hello to all our filipino friends and fellow members. Post here and let us know any news about you or Super Typhoon Yolanda in general.
 

RoboOp

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Aug 4, 2008
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#3
Re: Super Typhoon Yolanda

Just posted on CNN one hour ago:

Super Typhoon Haiyan, strongest storm of 2013, heads for Philippines - CNN.com

CNN calls it "the strongest storm on the planet so far this year".

Here's an excerpt:

Thousands of people in vulnerable areas of the Philippines are being relocated as the strongest storm on the planet so far this year spins toward the country.


With sustained winds of 305 kph (190 mph) and gusts as strong as 370 kph (230 mph), Super Typhoon Haiyan was churning across the Western Pacific toward the central Philippines as one of the most intense tropical cyclones ever recorded.

Its wind strength makes it equivalent to an exceptionally strong Category 5 hurricane.


The storm, known as Yolanda in the Philippines, is expected to still be a super typhoon, with winds in excess of 240 kph (149 mph), when it makes landfall Friday morning in the region of Eastern Visayas.


The storm is so large in diameter that clouds from it are affecting two-thirds of the country.
 
J

JDecree

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#4
Re: Super Typhoon Yolanda

Praying for the people there...incredible wind speeds, wow...be safe Robo
 

RoboOp

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Aug 4, 2008
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#5
Re: Super Typhoon Yolanda

Hey some friends are asking me if my family and I are safe so I'll post here and refer them to this.

Are we safe? Here is my answer:

There are thousands, or perhaps millions, who are in far greater danger here, from what CNN calls "one of the strongest storms ever", "one of the most intense tropical cyclones ever recorded", and "equivalent to an exceptionally strong category 5 hurricane". There are thousands of people still homeless in the neighboring province and living in tents, who lost their homes in the big earthquake a couple weeks ago, and they're about to get hit with this super typhoon now. Also many people in the Philippines live in simple shelter so many are in danger. There are mass evacuations in the most vulnerable areas but I doubt everyone will get evacuated.

As for us, we live in a very sturdy house thank God, on top of a mountain where we don't have to worry about flooding, landslides, etc. Also fortunately we're a bit south in Cebu; the typhoon will hit the northern part of our province more directly than this part, though it may be pretty strong here too. But I don't know what will happen with regard to internet and electricity. We stocked up on food tonight. Thank God for providing the money for that.

I will pray nonetheless for our family, but there are a lot of people who are much more vulnerable, some of whom may be CC users here.

Thanks for all the concern. :)

Hope to hear from other users here in the Philippines, particularly in the Visayas region.

THERE IS SOME POSSIBILITY that power, internet, etc. may go out for a while for many of us in the most affected regions.

It's expected to hit the east side of the Philippines in less than 8 hours (it will hit them really really hard), and then Cebu here a few hours later (maybe about 12 hours from now).
 
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RoboOp

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Aug 4, 2008
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#7
Re: Super Typhoon Yolanda

FYI, Super Typhoon Yolanda is also known as Super Typhoon Haiyan. (In the Philippines it's being called Yolanda.)
 

RoboOp

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Aug 4, 2008
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#8
Re: Super Typhoon Yolanda

How to stay up to date on Super Typhoon Yolanda

Here's how to stay up to date on Super Typhoon Yolanda aka Super Typhoon Haiyan:

Just regularly check a google search for each, and notice how many "minutes ago" for each result, and check the most current ones (e.g., 5 minutes ago, 1 hour ago).

Here are the two searches:

Google search for Super Typhoon Haiyan

Google search for Super Typhoon Yolanda
 

RoboOp

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Aug 4, 2008
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#9
Re: Super Typhoon Yolanda

Interesting, wunderground.com says:

Super Typhoon Haiyan is one of the most intense tropical cyclones in world history, with sustained winds an incredible 190 mph, gusting to 230 mph, said the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in their 15 UTC (10 am EST) November 7, 2013 advisory. ........ With landfall expected to occur by 21 UTC (4 pm EST) on Thursday, Haiyan doesn't have time to weaken much before landfall, and will likely hit the Philippines at Category 5 strength.

Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog : Super Typhoon Haiyan Closes in on the Philippines With 190 mph Sustained Winds | Weather Underground


 
O

overcomer2

Guest
#10
Re: Super Typhoon Yolanda

Will pray the Lord will be a hedge of protection around you. Make sure you play hymns. They are so uplifting when in a time of trouble or terror. Listening to all the frightful things is hard on all.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
 

RoboOp

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Aug 4, 2008
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#11
Re: Super Typhoon Yolanda

This is maybe the best tracker right here:

Haiyan 2013: Tracking Map | Weather Underground

Earlier today the maximum sustained winds were 175 mph, then tonight 190 mph, and now 195 mph. So it's till increasing and it's only a few hours away from the first big island province that it will hit (Leyte) before coming to our province (Cebu).
 
J

jkalyna

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#12
Re: Super Typhoon Yolanda

Will be in prayer till it's over, starting now Psalm91
 
May 27, 2012
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#13
Re: Super Typhoon Yolanda

Hi Robo and family. Been monitoring the situation on TV....WOW. Been bouncing around the rooms here asking all to pray for everyone there. Let us know if you need anything if you are still able to get on the computer.
 

leelee

Senior Member
Sep 5, 2011
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#14
Re: Super Typhoon Yolanda

Praying for you and your family Robo but also for all the people who are in its way, may God keep them safe xx
 

damombomb

Senior Member
Feb 27, 2011
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#15
Re: Super Typhoon Yolanda

Typhoon get out of there in the name of Jesus:)
 
W

Watching4Him

Guest
#16
Re: Super Typhoon Yolanda

Everyone in the area of the oncoming storm are in my prayers, but especially you and your family, RoboOp - may God bless you and protect you always.
 

PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
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#17
Re: Super Typhoon Yolanda

Dear Lord, please protect RoboOp, his family and all your people from this horrible storm. In Jesus name. Amen.
 

RoboOp

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Aug 4, 2008
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#18
Re: Super Typhoon Yolanda

Okay it hit. Wow the Washington Post says "With estimated maximum sustained winds of 195 mph, it is thought to be the strongest storm to ever make landfall anywhere in the world in modern records."

We are not in the province where it first made landfall a few hours ago. But it's now in our province. Winds getting stronger right now as I type. We have no electricity, for the past few hours. I have about 2 hours of laptop battery life left. Using mobile internet, which is barely working.

Fortunately we are further south in this province, and I think we're just getting the edge of the typhoon/hurricane. (The eye of it is going through the northern tip of our province.) Our streets are covered with leaves and tree branches. I estimate that the worst of it will be over within a few hours if not sooner, though I don't know what the aftermath will be like for some people. The worst was where it made landfall. Another quote from Washington Post:

"The storm is now within a few hours of landfall in the central Philippines at peak intensity as among the most powerful storms witnessed anywhere in modern times. Widespread destruction, unfortunately, seems inevitable."

Now I'm getting up to date on what has actually happened since it made landfall, and what is happening now as it is passing through our province Cebu.
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
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#19
Re: Super Typhoon Yolanda

You're all in my prayers.
 

JCluvsme

Senior Member
Jan 9, 2013
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#20
Re: Super Typhoon Yolanda

whatever will happen GOD is able...IN THE NAME OF JESUS..