[Typhoon No. 16] 10 things you should prepare to protect yourself from heavy rain and storms

Extremely strong Typhoon No. 16 is expected to approach the Izu Islands around noon on Friday, October 1st. There is a risk of extremely heavy rain, especially in the Izu Islands and the Kanto region.

What kind of preparation should I do to protect myself from danger when a typhoon approaches? Based on information from the Japan Meteorological Agency, the Japan Weather Association, and the certified NPO "National Disaster Volunteer Support Group Network" (JVOAD), we have compiled 10 points you should know.

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(1) Check for dangers "outside" your home

・Drain gutters and drains well. If it is clogged with garbage, it will overflow with water. It is also effective to stack sandbags in places that are likely to be flooded.

・Affix items that are likely to be blown away by the wind (flowerpots, clothesline poles, hangers, etc.) to prevent them from flying away, or store them inside the house.

・Inspect and reinforce roofs, fences, walls, etc.

・It's better to keep the car's gas tank full.

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②Be careful even "inside" the house

・Lock the windows and shutters.

・Affix anti-scattering film to the window glass. Close the curtains and pull down the blinds. Prevents injuries when flying objects break the window glass

・In preparation for water outages, fill the bathtub with water to secure water for daily use. Can be used for washing hands and toilets

・Fully charge your smartphone and laptop in preparation for a power outage

・If there is a risk of flooding, take measures against flooding, such as moving home appliances.

③Stockpile drinking water and emergency food

▼Examples of stockpiling food, beverages, and daily necessities

・Drinking water for 3 days (approximately 3 liters per person per day)

・Emergency food for 3 days (alpha rice, biscuits, bar chocolate, dry bread, etc.)

・Toilet paper, tissue paper, matches and lighters, candles that do not fall over, rope, cloth adhesive tape, paper bags, cassette stoves, solid fuel, domestic water for flushing toilets (poly tank with tap water, Fill the bath with water, etc.)

(4) Be prepared for when your refrigerator or air conditioner does not work due to a power outage

There is a risk that your air conditioner or refrigerator will not work due to a power outage due to a typhoon.

Having ice packs in your freezer is a great food conservation measure and helps you stay cool when you can't open a window.

You can also fill a plastic bottle with water and freeze it. Once the ice melts, it can be used as drinking water or water for daily life.

⑤Prepare an emergency bag

It is safe to have an emergency bag.

Examples of emergency bag contents: Drinking water, portable food, valuables (deposit passbook, personal seal, cash, health insurance card, etc.), mobile phone, first aid supplies, medicine notebook, helmet/disaster prevention hood, mask, Work gloves, writing utensils, matches/lighters, flashlights, batteries, plastic bags, clothes, rain gear, underwear, towels, portable radios, spare batteries, mobile phone chargers, mobile phone batteries, disposable body warmers, wet wipes, Toiletries, portable toilets, eyeglasses/contact lenses, milk, disposable diapers, baby bottles, etc. for families with infants.

⑥Check evacuation sites and evacuation routes

There is a river near your home or place of work that is at risk of flooding, and there is a risk of flooding or landslides in lowlands or steep slopes. If so, it is important to obtain a disaster prevention map or hazard map (disaster forecast map) in advance and confirm evacuation sites and evacuation routes in advance.

Some local governments publish them online.

Evacuation sites vary depending on the type of disaster, such as heavy rain, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. Let's check the nationwide municipal hazard map provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

⑦Share safety confirmation methods with your family

Discuss and decide in advance with your family how to confirm safety and where to meet.

In the event of a disaster, the mobile phone line may be difficult to connect, and you may not be able to contact us. The following services are available for this purpose:

・Disaster Emergency Message Dial

When you make a call to the Disaster Emergency Message Dial (171), you can record a message that can be played back by a family member who knows your phone number. According to NTT East's official website, available telephones include subscriber telephones, public telephones, and emergency public telephones that NTT installs in evacuation centers during disasters. Maximum recording time is 30 seconds per message.

・Disaster Message Board

Provided by mobile carriers. An Internet message board that can be registered from a mobile phone or PHS. Family members who know your phone number can view the information. There are NTT Docomo disaster message board, SoftBank disaster message board service, and au disaster message board.

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In addition, there are services such as "Facebook Disaster Relief Hub" and "Google Person Finder".

⑧Refrain from going out

While a typhoon is approaching, there is a risk of heavy rain and storms. Try not to go outside as much as possible.

・Do not patrol the irrigation canal and the coast. The boundary between the swollen irrigation canal and the road is not visible, and there is a danger of tripping and being swept away. Coastal areas may be swallowed by storm surges.

・Refrain from working outdoors. There is a danger of tipping over in a strong wind or gust of wind. Let's finish repairing the house before we get close.

⑨Evacuate early to save your life

If you receive an evacuation order from the municipality, prepare to move quickly and evacuate quickly. Even if evacuation orders have not been issued, evacuate voluntarily if you feel danger.

・Evacuate early if you are in an alluvial fan, coast/riverbed, mountainous area with few trees, or dangerous land.

・Be careful when evacuating by car. When the amount of rainfall increases, visibility becomes difficult even if the windshield wipers are speeded up, and there is a danger of "hydroplaning," in which a film of water forms between the wheels and the road surface, making the brakes ineffective.

・Care should be taken when underground spaces (underpasses, basements) are flooded with water, making it difficult to evacuate.

・In the city center, it may be safer to evacuate to a sturdy building on the second floor or higher in the neighborhood than to evacuate to a distant evacuation site. When evacuating, make a comprehensive judgment of the surrounding situation and act accordingly.

・Before evacuating, turn off the fire, the main gas valve, and the electric breaker, and check that the doors are locked.

⑩Collecting information online during a disaster

The following are official Twitter accounts and sites operated by governments and public institutions that are useful during a disaster.

・Prime Minister's official residence (disaster/crisis management information)

You can check government activity information related to disaster and crisis management, such as earthquakes, typhoons, heavy rains and serious incidents.

・Cabinet Office Disaster Prevention

You can check disaster information and information on disaster prevention and mitigation.

・Fire and Disaster Management Agency, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

When a large-scale disaster occurs, you can check information related to firefighting.

・Ministry of Defense・Self-Defense Forces

In the event of a disaster, you can check related information such as the dispatch status of the Self-Defense Forces.

・Japan Meteorological Agency

You can check the latest typhoon information.

・Japan Weather Association

You can check the commentary by the weather forecaster.

・Yahoo! Evacuation site map

You can check evacuation center information nationwide based on evacuation center data provided by local governments.

・NHK regional disaster information

You can check life and lifeline information in various places.

・Toyota road map

Aggregate road traffic performance for the past 24 hours and support evacuation and rescue by car in the disaster area.

・Japan Dialysis Physician Association Disaster Information Network

For people who need dialysis during a disaster. You can check hospitals where dialysis is available.

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