Spanish retiree helps Ningbo residents prepare for typhoon

[Video/Tide News]

Jon Penagarikano, a 70-year-old Spanish retiree, joined community workers in Ningbo's Jiangbei district on Aug 27 to check on residents and share safety advice as Typhoon Saudel approached.

Wearing a blue volunteer vest, Penagarikano visited homes and businesses in Yancang Community, reminding residents to observe weather updates, limit travel during the storm, and take precautions against strong winds and heavy rain.

Penagarikano first came to China in 2004 and has lived in Ningbo since 2013. A former engineer, he is also a familiar face at the city's Old Bund, where he sometimes plays the organ. He became a community volunteer last year, partly because his language skills and long experience living in Ningbo make it easy to connect with the neighborhood's residents.

One of the people he visited was French bakery owner Samy Snoussi, who has lived in Ningbo for more than 20 years. Snoussi said he has always felt safe during typhoons, pointing to the city's preparations for heavy rain, flooding, and traffic disruptions. His bakery normally stays open during typhoons but closes earlier when conditions call for it.

Penagarikano said he often finds that people who are new to Ningbo do not fully understand how quickly a typhoon can affect daily life. He makes a point of passing on the community's warnings and encouraging them to stay indoors when the weather turns severe.

Outside of emergency preparations, Penagarikano is active in community life, playing music for children and seniors and taking part in local cultural events. For him, volunteering is simply another way to be involved in the city he now calls home.