Signal No. 3 Alert and We're Preparing For The Typhoon...

Neat Improvised Candle - Neat improvised candle made of salt, cooking oil, and matchstick covered with cotton
Philippines
December 3, 2012 10:07am CST
I live in Cagayan de Oro and our place has been one of the cities which have been raised to Signal No. 3 for Typhoon Pablo that's expected to make landfall early tomorrow. Since afternoon we have been preparing extra water in our storage and we have ordered more mineral water than we normally would. I hear other people have also done the same preparations, food and all. Some have already evacuated to higher grounds. One thing I was amazed at was this improvised candle my mom's close friend (she's staying over because of the expected typhoon as her place is near the coast) made. She filled a glass with lots of salt and then poured cooking oil. She also wrapped a matchstick with a cotton and positioned it in the center of the glass. I never knew those made an inexpensive alternative to candles. It is definitely a good idea in case the strong typhoon winds would cause a power blackout. Can you share ideas on any improvised stuff you've done in case of expected typhoons or any calamity?
7 responses
@adnileb (5276)
• Philippines
3 Dec 12
My mom does that kind of candle too. It's less expensive and lasts longer. I don't know any other improvised stuff to share. Stay safe and alert. Hope the typhoon won't damage too much properties and lives. Take care.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
4 Dec 12
Yes, it truly lasts longer. We used it last night and then since this morning at 10am because power went out when the very strong winds came. Thanks. My family is safe, I just hope the other families' homes were not that damaged.
@adnileb (5276)
• Philippines
4 Dec 12
So, how was it? Did it leave your place already? Hope everyone is fine there.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
5 Dec 12
Yes, it has left already. It's sunny today. Zero casualty in my city.
• United States
5 Dec 12
Awesome. I live in tornado alley and we lose power a lot when storms hit nearby. I will keep the candle idea in mind for those times. Sometimes we lose power due to ice storms. I'm really anxious to see if the candle idea works. I hope more people respond with ideas like that...will be interesting. I'm sorry, I really don't know any ideas. We just have our stash of iron cooking pots to use over the fire place or gas grill when electricity goes out...and the canned foods.
• Philippines
6 Dec 12
So far that's the only bright idea (literally) I know of recently. Lol. I hope to hear more too.
@Cutie18f (9546)
• Philippines
3 Dec 12
I bought new batteries for our flashlight and bought some candles and candle holders too. Our place had been placed under Signal no. 2, but until now there is no sign of Pablo yet. I hope he doesn't come though but classes had already been suspended.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
4 Dec 12
That's a good idea! The eye of the storm Pablo hit Cagayan de Oro today at 1pm. It actually rained since 4am today but the rain has now stopped, it's 4pm now. It's just drizzling a bit.
@atv818 (1980)
• United Arab Emirates
3 Dec 12
Yes, I heard about this and I don't know how will this affect my family in Manila. Anyway, I'm secured because they bought groceries just recently so in case of electricity outage, they will have enough food to last them for days. In case of flooding, our house is a bit higher than others so I'm sure that minimal flood water will enter the compound. I'm sure you did your share of being prepared so pray to God that Philippines will not be a direct hit. Pray and be safe.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
4 Dec 12
Manila will have less rains because of this typhoon. Yes, it is better to be prepared because we've been through a lot of storms and typhoons. At 1pm the eye of the storm Pablo hit Cagayan de Oro today. I did notice the weird sound of the heavy winds.
• Philippines
4 Dec 12
Keep safe. It has been reported that Pablo will hit our country but the sun is still scorching hot in our area.I hope the typhoon will change its direction.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
4 Dec 12
Thanks! Keep safe too. The electricity just came back here in Cagayan de Oro at 6pm. Rain stopped around 3pm but power blackout was in effect since 9:30 in the morning.
@edvc77 (2140)
• Philippines
4 Dec 12
Yes, we have to prepare for the coming typhoon and pray. I think it is stronger than Sendong. God Bless
1 person likes this
• Philippines
4 Dec 12
Sendong was stronger. I was not here at the time it happened but when I got back it was disheartening to watch the devastation.
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
3 Dec 12
I am from Mindanao too and I am sort of worried about this typhoon, although I have to be honest that a part of me wishes it to happen so that classes will be suspended and I know that sounds really selfish. However, I hope and pray that this typhoon will not really cause too much trouble or any trouble at all to all of us. As for the candle, I have seen it first time done by my friend back at the house I used to rent. I was amazed that it worked, because I thought he was just making it up.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
4 Dec 12
When I was a student many years ago I was guilty of thinking of the same thing. The rain has stopped a bit. In the morning there was just really strong winds and it was noisy outside. I hope there are less casualties because people were forewarned and actually heeded the warning to evacuate before it was too late.