Other Information
When a typhoon or heavy, concentrated rain is approaching
Every year Japan experiences typhoons that cause damage. Are you fully prepared?Below is a checklist and preparations for the event of approaching typhoons or heavy rain. You should be aware of these and if there is any area in your home that isn’t prepared then you should rectify that immediately.
Outside checklist
Roof
- Are any tiles cracked or loose?
- Is metal sheeting loose or coming off?
Guttering & storm doors
- Are the gutters filled with leaves and dirt? Are there joints that have slipped out? Is paint peeling off? Is there rust?
- Are the storm doors rickety or bent?
Outer wall
- Are there any cracks in the mortar?
- Is there any rot or out-of-shape areas on a wooden fence?
- Are propane gas canisters properly secured?
Veranda
- Bring items that may be blown around, such as flowerpots and washing-line poles, inside the house.
Window glass
- Are there any cracks or is the frame rickety? Also, place boards over the windows to stop them from being smashed by flying objects.
Brick walls
- Are there any cracks or damaged areas?
Preparations for inside
- Have torches and portable radios handy incase there is a power cut.
- Have drinking water ready in case the water supply is cut off.
- Prepare your emergency bag with valuables incase evacuation is necessary.
- Listen carefully to weather reports about typhoons, rain and wind.
- Do not carelessly go outside. When you go outside return home as quickly as possible.
- In places where there is a risk of flooding, place valuable items in high places.
- Elderly people, young children, sick people and those with disabilities should move to a safe area/room.
- Decide as a family an evacuation destination and a method of contact to be used in the event that you are separated.
Evacuating in times of flooding
- Wear a helmet or safety hood. Wear sports shoes that have laces rather than Wellington (gum) boots.
- Evacuate with yourselves tied to each other by rope so you do not get swept away. Keep your eyes on the children.
- When walking in flooded areas, use a long pole as a crutch and use it to check the safety of the ground beneath the water’s surface as you walk.
- Carry the elderly and the sick. Keep children safe by making them wear a lifesaver/floating ring.
- Men can walk up to a depth of about 70cm; women about 50cm. If the water is approaching your waist then go to a high place and wait to be rescued.
Wind and rain damage - basic knowledge
The difference between typhoons and tropical lows
Low pressure systems originating in tropical areas are called tropical lows, and those with wind speeds of over 17meters/sec are called typhoons (Gale force 8 = 17.2 m/s). Tropical lows themselves can cause damage over a large area due to rain, so precautions should be taken as if they were typhoons.Concentrated downpours
Concentrated downpours are when a large amount of rain falls on a small, concentrated area in a short amount of time. These occur frequently during the rainy and typhoon seasons and they are hard to predict, as they are limited to a small area. People who live near mountains, along rivers, in river deltas and on reclaimed land need to take extra care. Also, there is an increasing trend of city flooding, so people living in cities must also take care.High tides
High tides are phenomena that occur when the passing of a typhoon or tropical low causes the sea level to rise to abnormal heights. These are particularly dangerous when they coincide with high tide. People living by the coast need to take extra care.The difference between an alarm and a warning
Warnings are released when there is a chance that a disaster may occur, and alarms are sounded when a major disaster may occur. However, it is not the case that you should relax as it is a warning as opposed to an alarm. You should keep paying careful attention to the television and radio, collect correct information and then take appropriate measures.Precautions when camping
Recently there are many families who go camping in the summer. If such families do not fully understand the power of nature where conditions can change very suddenly, there will be accidents with irreparable damages. Remember the below points and enjoy your camping experience in a safe manner.
2）Do not underestimate the power of nature. Act as if preparing for the worse case scenario.
3）Check the weather forecast before you leave and when you are at the campsite.
4）Pitch your tent on high ground away from the coast and rivers. Do not pitch tents on sandbars or under cliffs.
5）If you hear thunder or rain begins to fall, move to a safe area at once.
6）Follow the instructions of City Hall, the fire department and the police. Also, listen carefully to local people.
Landslides
Landslides on cliff faces may occur due to typhoons and concentrated rain. When a landslide is about to occur there are the following signs. People who live in potentially hazardous areas should watch out for these.
Types of landslides and their warning signs
Rockslides
Rockslides are when the ground on a cliff becomes soft due to rainfall and suddenly begins to slide down the slope. It all occurs in one quick moment so the damage is great. If there is more than 20mm of rainfall in an hour, or rain continues to fall so that there has been over 100mm, then you should be on alert, even after the rain has stopped.
Warning signs
- The water from the cliff is dirty.
- Cracks begin to appear in the cliff face and small rocks begin to fall.
- The cliff begins to make noise.
Mudslides
Mudslides occur when the mud, stones and sand on slopes or valleys all of a sudden slides downwards due to heavy rain. These are fast moving and powerful, causing damage over a wide area.
Warning signs
- The mountain begins to rumble.
- Water levels in rivers drop despite continuous rainfall.
- The river is dirty and driftwood sinks.
Landslides
Landslides are relatively slow moving, with the clay-level of the ground gently moving down a slope. They occur over a large area so the damage is great.
Warning signs
- Cracks appear in the ground.
- Water in wells and swamps becomes dirty.
- Water springs forth from cliffs or slopes.
