Web timer for 8 seconds
Stay beside the wall as you mark the latest floodwater level, keeping your pencil or tape ready while 8 seconds pass. The brief pause lets the water settle after a small wave from a passing vehicle or someone wading nearby. Watch the edge where the wet surface meets the wall, then place one clear mark without stepping away from the area.
While you remain close to the mark, a phone screen may dim or lock before the signal appears, especially when battery-saving settings are active. Keep the sound audible and the device above any splash zone, such as on a dry shelf or inside a clear waterproof pouch. You can follow the waterline rather than repeatedly touching the screen, and the alert tells you when to record the observed level.
With your eyes still on the wall, use a phone when you need one hand free for chalk or masking tape; use a laptop only if it already sits safely on a dry, raised surface. A phone is easier to position nearby, but its sleeping display makes an audible alert more useful than a visual one. A laptop display stays visible longer, though carrying it near floodwater adds an unnecessary distraction.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wait longer before marking the flood level if water is still sloshing against the wall?
Yes. Passing vehicles, people moving through the water, or runoff during a Philippine downpour can keep the edge shifting beyond the short interval. Let the movement ease, then restart the same interval before making the mark.
What if the floodwater reaches a steady line before the countdown ends?
Keep watching until the alert because a brief dip can be followed by another small surge. If the line remains unchanged, mark it immediately at the signal and add the observation time beside it.
Cookies policy