We have not experienced any typhoon-strength winds for close to twenty years now and while we are extremely grateful for this extremely good fortune, we should not let our guards down and must be prepared for any change of weather for the worst that might visit us in the days and weeks ahead. As far as we can recall, the last strong wind that struck Palau was in 1991, but we were very fortunate for that storm did not cause significant damages in the country. We might not be so lucky with the next strong wind to visit us in the future.
The National Emergency Office (NEMO), if it still exists, should revisit and review its procedures for advising the general public of what they should do if a strong storm or typhoon were to approach our islands. Strong structures, both public and private, where people could go for protective shelters should be identified and permission and arrangements for their use should be secured ahead of time so that they would be available when strong winds or typhoons strike the islands.It would be a national tragedy if many of our people, including women and children, were to run aimlessly on the streets, exposed to dangers, during a typhoon-strength wind. A person could be killed or injured seriously by loose flying tin-roofs or other loose lethal objects that might be carried about by the strong winds.The NEMO should also develop instructions to the general public on how to prepare for an impending destructive typhoon. The facilities of the National Hospital, the Public Safety building, and our water facilities, to name a few, must be secured at all times. Locations where the sick and the injured should go for treatment must be publicized very clearly. NEMO should explain to the people how to secure their homes and properties so that they may be safe during a destructive wind.Public and private boats must be secured in safe locations and anchorages. NEMO should advice people about what food, water, warm clothing, and other necessary items they should bring with them when go to public and private shelters when they leave their homes for protection.All government ministries and offices should also have up-to-date plans of actions to implement when and should strong winds and typhoons threaten Palau. It would be a double disaster if our important public offices and public agencies were to suffer big damages and the important records stored in them, such as financial records and land documents to name just a few, were to be damaged beyond recovery or blown away by strong winds. NEMO must also prepare practical advisories to private business establishments in the event threatening storms or any violent cause of action, such as earthquakes and others, might threaten the country. Finally, the Bureau of Public Safety must have standing instructions and plans to direct and control vehicular and human traffics during stormy weather. Palau must be prepared for all tragedies that my come our way in the future.
