Typhoon Advice

The terms "hurricane" and "typhoon" are regionally specific names for a strong "tropical cyclone" which has an intense centre of low pressure system that happens in tropical climates. These storms, accompanied by heavy rainfall, can cover areas of up to 500 miles in diameter and generate winds up to 180 miles an hour.

The Japanese typhoon season roughly lasts from June to December with most activity between July and September.

Typhoons that hit Japan are often accompanied by damaging high tides. People living in coastal areas are particularly at risk. Landslides can occur anywhere and are a serious concern during continued periods of heavy rain. The dangers increase when an earthquake occurs shortly after a typhoon has saturated an area.

Being prepared for a typhoon means keeping informed on the progress and severity of the storm, and taking some common-sense precautions to minimise the problems a typhoon may cause for you.

1) Take precuations:

• Assemble and maintain an emergency kit .
• Secure or move inside outdoor items such as toys, grills, bicycles, furniture etc
• Move potted plants and other heavy objects away from windows inside.
• Watch out for leaks around windows and doors. If the wind is strong enough, water may be blown into your home even if the windows are closed -have towels, rags and mops, handy.
• If the storm becomes severe, move into a hallway or area where there are few external glass windows.
• Draw curtains across the windows to prevent against flying glass should windows crack.
• If a window breaks, place a mattress or sofa seat over the broken pane and secure it there with a heavy piece of furniture.
• Open a window on the side of the house away from the approaching storm a few inches. This will compensate for the differences of indoor and outdoor air pressure.
• Remember that typhoons have "eyes",-areas in their centre where the weather appears calm. If the eye passes over your area, it may appear that the storm has finished, with winds then picking up again as the remainder of the storm arrives.
• After the storm is over, check for broken glass, fallen trees and downed power lines which may present safety hazards.
•  Beware of rumour and false information. The most up to date information will be broadcast on Japanese language radio/TV stations. For English versions tune into Inter FM (76.1FM) Japan FM (81.3FM), Eagle (810AM), or the bilingual format of NHK1
•  Follow the course of the Typhoon on the Japanese Meteorological Agency’s website- www.jma.go.jp/en/typh/ 

2) Important points to remember:

Telephone services may be seriously disrupted. NTT will give priority to green pay phones.
In the event of a devastating typhoon in Tokyo, traffic will be seriously disrupted. All roads in the central part of Tokyo inside the Kan-nana-dori and Dai-ni Keihin, all Shuto Expressways and major roads up to the boundaries of Tokyo will be closed to ordinary vehicles.

Follow these links for more information on: 

Earthquakes and Tsunami