EARTHQUAKE INDUCED HAZARD

The earthquake-induced hazard map of Barangay Himbangan in the Municipality of Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte, illustrates the community’s vulnerability to seismic risks within its 304-hectare territory. According to the legend, the map identifies specific high-risk zones, including areas prone to ground rupture along active fault lines and sections susceptible to earthquake-induced landslides in the steeper upland regions. The map also visualizes potential liquefaction areas near the Lawigan River and internal creeks, alongside coastal zones where a series of tsunami waves could cause flooding and erosion. These hazards are contextualized by the village’s infrastructure, such as the national and barangay roads, schools, and household points, providing a tool for disaster preparedness and local zoning.

 

RAIN INDUCED LANDSLIDE HAZARD

The rain-induced landslide hazard map for Barangay Himbangan in Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte, identifies zones susceptible to slope failure triggered by heavy precipitation. According to the legend, the map categorizes landslide risk into low, moderate, and high susceptibility, typically based on physical factors such as slope steepness, soil erodibility, and the presence of old or active tension cracks. Areas marked with high susceptibility (often red) indicate steep terrain with active landslides that directly threaten the community, while moderate (green) and low (yellow) zones represent gentler slopes or inactive sites where the likelihood of immediate mass wasting is reduced. These hazard zones are overlaid with local infrastructure, including household points, schools, and the road network, to guide the barangay in implementing early warning protocols and identifying safe evacuation routes during periods of intense or prolonged rainfall.

 

STORM SURGE HAZARD

The storm surge hazard map of Barangay Himbangan in the Municipality of Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte, illustrates the potential for abnormal sea-level rises caused by tropical cyclones. According to the legend, the risk is categorized by predicted surge heights, with high-risk zones (often marked in red or deep blue) indicating areas where water levels could exceed 2 to 5 meters depending on the storm intensity and local coastal geometry. These hazards are particularly critical for the low-lying coastal areas of Himbangan, where strong winds can push ocean water inland, threatening household points, the national road, and agricultural lands like nipa and coconut plantations. The map serves as a vital tool for community-based early warning systems, guiding residents to evacuate to designated high-ground areas when municipal disaster councils issue surge advisories.

 

TSUNAMI HAZARD

The tsunami hazard map for Barangay Himbangan in Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte, identifies coastal and low-lying areas vulnerable to inundation from earthquake-generated sea waves within its 304-hectare territory. According to the legend, the map delineates specific susceptibility zones, often marked in red or orange, where residents and community assets like household points and the national road are at the highest risk of being flooded. These hazard zones are calculated based on local topography and potential wave run-up heights, providing a visual guide for the village’s evacuation routes and assembly areas located on higher ground. By identifying these risk areas, the map assists the barangay in prioritizing protective measures such as maintaining natural barriers or strictly regulating the settlement of permanent structures within the most dangerous inundation lines.

 

FLOOD HAZARD

The flood hazard map for the Municipality of Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte, identifies various levels of inundation risk across several barangays including Himbangan and Carnaga as of 2023. According to the legend, the map classifies flood severity into four distinct categories: low flood, moderate flood, high flood, and very high flood, which are primarily concentrated along the Hinabian-Lawigan River and its connected network of creeks. These hazard zones are mapped alongside critical infrastructure, including national, provincial, and barangay roads, to help local authorities and residents identify which transit routes and land areas are most vulnerable to rising water levels during extreme weather events.