Japan Typhoon: Thousands Forced To Evacuate
Japan — Typhoon Man-yi has forced thousands of residents to evacuate. The typhoon made landfall at around 8 am, with wind gusts up to 100 mph. The powerful storm came ashore in Toyohashi, Aichi prefecture.
Close to 130 residents were injured as the heavy rain and relentless winds caused flooding and landslides. Four people are still missing, and at least two are reported dead.
Two elderly women were killed in the midst of the destructive typhoon. A 72-year-old woman was inside her home when it collapsed. Authorities eventually recovered her body from the debris.
A 77-year-old woman was found dead in Fukui prefecture following a landslide.
Over 4,000 homes were damaged or destroyed by heavy flooding, high winds, and mudslides. The storm eventually weakened as it moved off the main land. However, it left a path of massive destruction.
As reported by ABC News, travel is impeded throughout Japan. The typhoon caused the cancellation of numerous flights and train schedules. Many roads remain impassable.
According to The Meteorological Agency, Typhoon Man-yi dumped an unprecedented” 3 inches of rain per hour.
More than 250,000 residents were ordered to evacuate Kyoto. As the Katsura River continued to swell, many residents were transported to safety by boat.
As reported by BBC, authorities have ordered evacuations in Hyogo, Kyoto, Mie, and Shiga, prefectures. Thousands of residents remain without power as crews work to restore damaged lines
Numerous tourists were also forced to evacuate, as the flooding breached local hotels. Hotel manager Makoto Hasegawa says the flood waters reached “up to the waist.”
Hasegawa is now focusing on clean-up, clearing out the debris and rinsing the entrance and lobby with clean water.
In Fukushima, Japan, the typhoon threatened the already crippled Tokyo Electric Power nuclear facility. As flood waters threatened tanks storing radioactive water, plant operators diverted the rainwater to the ocean.
Plant officials claim the water is free of radiation.
In Japan, the typhoon has caused widespread devastation. As the storm has moved on, the residents are now tasked with clean-up and recovery.
[Image via Flickr]
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