The biggest storm this year in the Southwest Pacific, and one of the biggest storms on record anywhere, is expected to hit land in the central Philippines Friday morning.
This super storm, known internationally as Typhoon Haiyan, but called “Yolanda” by Filipinos, has winds of up to 150 miles per hour and expected rainfall of up to eight inches. Thousands of people are being evacuated. The track of the storm is expected to take it right over areas still reeling from a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake in October.
Journalists in the Philippines–and nearby nations like Vietnam also expected to be impacted by the storm–should be mindful to work in teams and establish back-up forms of communication. Freelancers should know that they most likely will not receive any institutional support. Newsrooms and journalists need to make sure they double-check all their equipment and supplies.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer, the English-language paper read across much of the archipelago nation, has published a list of tips from the Philippine Red Cross for families to keep themselves safe. CPJ’s Journalist Security Guide also publishes a list of tips for newsroom and journalists covering Natural Disasters.