According to the website of the Japan Meteorological Agency, typhoons approached Japan 12 times in 2021. (as of December 15, 2021.) Typhoons approach Japan every year from spring to autumn, bringing heavy rains, floods, storms, high waves, and storm surges.
[Number of Typhoons approached Japan]
It is also prone to overflowing rivers, mudslides, landslides, and other natural disasters that threaten people’s lives and livelihoods.
In recent years, rainfall that falls very heavily in a small area in a short period of time has become more frequent, especially in urban areas where housing development has progressed, causing rivers to rise rapidly, flooding of roads and houses, and submersion of underground spaces such as road underpasses.
There have also been accidents where people have gone to see rivers or rice fields swollen by rain and been swept away, or have fallen in flooded roads because it is difficult to see the boundaries of the gutters.
Be prepared for Typhoon
●On daily basis
✔Be well prepared outside your house.
To prepare for flooding, clean out gutters and drains to ensure good drainage.
Also, check and reinforce roofs, walls, and fences before a typhoon hits.
✔Prepare emergency supplies
Stock up on emergency supplies in case your lifeline is interrupted.
-Flashlight (extra batteries)
-Change of clothes, towel
-Lighter, matches
-First aid medicine
-Portable radio or cell phone
-Valuables
-Emergency food
-Water
✔Discuss with your family
Discuss with your family how to contact each other in an emergency.
It is also a good idea to decide on a place to meet.
✔Get a hazard map.
If there is a river near your house, or if you live on a low-lying land that may be subject to flooding or landslides, you should obtain a hazard map beforehand. Hazard maps can be obtained at city halls, ward offices, and town halls.
✔Communicate with your neighbors
Neighborly relations can be a great help during rescue and shelter life.
✔Take out property insurance
Typhoons may cause serious damage to your house, sometimes destroy roof and wall of your house. Not only your house but your household goods may be damaged. To have property insurance for your building and household goods is also one of the essential methods to protect you and your family against typhoons.
●Before a typhoon approaches
✔Checking the latest typhoon information
You can get the latest typhoon information on weather websites. Please check the weather information frequently.
✔Re-inspect the area around your house.
If there are any items around the house that could be blown away by strong winds, put them indoors or, if they cannot be put away, secure them so that they will not be blown away.
✔Reinforce windows and storm doors.
Check for cracks in the glass or rattling in the window frames, and reinforce them by taping the windows. In addition, it is a good idea to keep curtains, etc. closed in case the window glass breaks.
✔Prepare for lifeline disconnection
Secure drinking water in case the water supply is cut off. Fill the bathtub with water to secure water for toilets and other daily needs. Prepare an emergency kit in case of evacuation.
●While approaching
✔Stay at home. Do not check the beach, canals, or work outdoors.