Typhoon Odette

Nature of the disaster

Typhoon Rai, locally known as Bagyong Odette, is the Philippine’s 15th storm of the year. It is also considered to be the most powerful storm of 2021, intensifying from a category 1 to category 5 typhoon with wind speeds at 157 miles per hour or more, making it difficult for residents to prepare for the storm’s arrival or evacuate. At those speeds, catastrophic damage occurs, resulting in power outages that can last months and large numbers of framed homes in ruins.

• Natural or man-made?

Typhoon Odette is a natural disaster because it is an unexpected event caused by environmental factors. We have no control over when a typhoon will strike, which is why they are classified as natural disasters.

• What type of hazard?

Typhoon Odette is a hydrometeorological hazard because it involves the interaction of atmosphere, bodies of water, and land, and which pose threats to lives and human property. It is also the result of of atmospheric, hydrological or oceanographic nature that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental damage.

• Vulnerability and exposure level of the community

Siargao and Palawan are two of the most beautiful known islands in the Philippines but their beloved topography and pristine islands are what make them very vulnerable to powerful storm surges. Cebu is also exposed to occasional typhoons and severe flooding due to its undulating topography in combination with heavy precipitation.