![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TH2KAH36GMHZQQ4HQS42HX23LU.jpg?smart=true&auth=69388eb557d488be78db40ee2f7aaf78d45421714192f47961666d8b9b810265&width=400&height=225)
A general view of trees being blown by heavy winds during Typhoon Vongfong in San Francisco, Quezon province, Philippines. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PEIFOXKKGQKZE4KOL7T4WPMLNA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1ac9404778ea683677327fdf93e716b7c12b52212e6a64c85f3b43f98b3f792b&width=400&height=225)
Residents stand amongst debris and next to a huge crucifix blown from the church after it was destroyed at the height of Typhoon Vongfong in Arteche town, Eastern Samar province. AFP
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Residents try to salvage belongings in San Policarpio town, Eastern Samar province. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MYMACKVSBBCFE4RJOS36GFRI7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=1b4711e72bcdf762a48fb80352bf8eb523966fe9d96fc299a5df873d443d5800&width=400&height=225)
Filipino villagers reinforce their homes in anticipation of Typhoon Vongfong at a coastal village in Cavite, Philippines. EPA
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Residents try to salvage belongings in San Policarpio town, Eastern Samar province. AFP
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A resident clears a street of debris in Arteche. AFP
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A man wearing a protective mask and raincoat rides his bicycle during rain caused by Typhoon Vongfong in Manila, Philippines. AP
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Residents ride a boat along a flooded village as Typhoon Vongfong passes by Sorsogon province, Philippines. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IZRJL5ZRKBBDARSQVZVQHAF6UU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d16c8c9bb5039b39fa34efcc2e7765143de6df158eefc40f323c37fd96aae0d&width=400&height=225)
Workers clear a road of trees and branches in Sorsogon province, eastern Philippines. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AOP6SADMXKQBMI42SOFVPWJAQY.jpg?smart=true&auth=25f6823aa621d26bec1176bfbd9844ac2a259b4145d569ca5b9c66a5c1f551da&width=400&height=225)
Residents wade from floodwaters in a flooded village in Sorsogon province. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TH2KAH36GMHZQQ4HQS42HX23LU.jpg?smart=true&auth=69388eb557d488be78db40ee2f7aaf78d45421714192f47961666d8b9b810265&width=400&height=225)
A general view of trees being blown by heavy winds during Typhoon Vongfong in San Francisco, Quezon province, Philippines. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PEIFOXKKGQKZE4KOL7T4WPMLNA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1ac9404778ea683677327fdf93e716b7c12b52212e6a64c85f3b43f98b3f792b&width=400&height=225)
Residents stand amongst debris and next to a huge crucifix blown from the church after it was destroyed at the height of Typhoon Vongfong in Arteche town, Eastern Samar province. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EBLCGQGKTIK3TLREFJ65W5ZBJ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=98eb8ace779623778affefcdc495e9fb75bda4f871e1d48c8dd1805f8af4b266&width=400&height=225)
Residents try to salvage belongings in San Policarpio town, Eastern Samar province. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MYMACKVSBBCFE4RJOS36GFRI7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=1b4711e72bcdf762a48fb80352bf8eb523966fe9d96fc299a5df873d443d5800&width=400&height=225)
Filipino villagers reinforce their homes in anticipation of Typhoon Vongfong at a coastal village in Cavite, Philippines. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RX56PXXMADSYCDWZ34ZRCCJVC4.jpg?smart=true&auth=f6ae523afef09fdc84ef187f8ecff7485b738acf66cf748590d521797f550a97&width=400&height=225)
Residents try to salvage belongings in San Policarpio town, Eastern Samar province. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IX5SFU2KCKUJW4VPTFUIUXOAPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=facbdba01d18584cd1c89b17936733bfa7b7850ca021f2be34f61a61f0572b70&width=400&height=225)
A resident clears a street of debris in Arteche. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VIKPZORTP2M7X533AOPH4PNLUE.jpg?smart=true&auth=5ec770a4ecb6b2ea002e118b63a647d6f49eca5d0c08a4199238a85df6a2b63c&width=400&height=225)
A man wearing a protective mask and raincoat rides his bicycle during rain caused by Typhoon Vongfong in Manila, Philippines. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/46VTQJ7XOSOCX5LHH3RTCXWKUU.jpg?smart=true&auth=9832dc2465bebf12c1c8b881166806d9c565b830c4d9d5427be49265370ade2d&width=400&height=225)
Residents ride a boat along a flooded village as Typhoon Vongfong passes by Sorsogon province, Philippines. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IZRJL5ZRKBBDARSQVZVQHAF6UU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d16c8c9bb5039b39fa34efcc2e7765143de6df158eefc40f323c37fd96aae0d&width=400&height=225)
Workers clear a road of trees and branches in Sorsogon province, eastern Philippines. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AOP6SADMXKQBMI42SOFVPWJAQY.jpg?smart=true&auth=25f6823aa621d26bec1176bfbd9844ac2a259b4145d569ca5b9c66a5c1f551da&width=400&height=225)
Residents wade from floodwaters in a flooded village in Sorsogon province. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TH2KAH36GMHZQQ4HQS42HX23LU.jpg?smart=true&auth=69388eb557d488be78db40ee2f7aaf78d45421714192f47961666d8b9b810265&width=400&height=225)
A general view of trees being blown by heavy winds during Typhoon Vongfong in San Francisco, Quezon province, Philippines. Reuters
Coronavirus: preparing for natural disasters amid a pandemic
The biggest changes will come to evacuation protocols as authorities are forced to revise disaster response plans
![Layla Mashkoor](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2Ffbe34f3a-d8fb-4b18-b75e-38084fc956a0.png?smart=true&auth=3026c43dea4ea194889bb2a9c7d3b4be3e71a5f560923bd767ea0cf8c4528d98&width=70&height=70)
Layla Mashkoor
19 May, 2020
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