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Typhoon death toll reaches 11; thousands being transported from Kansai airport

38 Comments
By Kyoko Hasegawa

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"...and ordered his government to take all necessary measures to protect residents.". Ahahahahahaaaa WTF are they going to do? Blatant lip service.

-12 ( +7 / -19 )

The wind was so bad in western Tokyo yesterday that I had to literally hold my 4 year old daughter and run with a broken umbrella home from her bus stop from youchien in a downpour. I can only imagine how much worse it was for those out west. Scary.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

I can only imagine what that truck driver was thinking when the truck went up on the bridge!!!!!

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Have some crazy footage from my 10th floor in Osaka of the storm yesterday. Hattori Ryokuji Koen has been absolutely wrecked. Massive 50 foot trees have been pulled out of the ground and are strewn around like chopsticks.

Many of my colleagues have had damage to their homes. Theres a big difference between an old Japanese house and マンション type buildings in typhoons.

A lot of people have wrecked houses and cars. Its a pretty sad clean up day.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

They keep naming the '93 typhoon as being the worst one before this one. how does they gauge this, overall?

That was my first typhoon, and the last one I have taken lightly - I even went out to the shops during the worst of it, on my bike, as rivers of water gushed in the streets, blithe idiot that I was. People with no experience of typhoons don't realise how dangerous they are.

The one after that is one I remember - in the mid- to late-90s - as it made a massive hole in my kitchen ceiling that the landlords didn't repair for months.

This one was scary, my building was swaying. I am glad it wasn't worse.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The wind was so bad in western Tokyo yesterday that I had to literally hold my 4 year old daughter and run with a broken umbrella home from her bus stop from youchien in a downpour. I can only imagine how much worse it was for those out west. Scary.

I hope folks like this learn from this experience.

Using an umbrella during a typhoon can be extremely dangerous, not to mention holding on to a 4 year old too.

Better to wear a poncho, or some type of rain gear, other than an umbrella!

15 ( +18 / -3 )

They keep naming the '93 typhoon as being the worst one before this one. how does they gauge this, overall?

This is only about mainland. The power of the winds, and amount of rain, rank it as being the "worst" along with reported damage, deaths, and injuries. But believe me, we have had plenty worse one's down here.

People with no experience of typhoons don't realise how dangerous they are.

And even people with experience do stupid crap during typhoons too, purely because they think they "know". Better the scared rookie, they are at least smart enough to take cover. If you ever come to Okinawa during a typhoon you will know what I am talking about!

14 ( +15 / -1 )

It’s extremely dangerous in cities to be out during high winds as signs and awnings are liable to take off-I was almost killed by a sign whipping through the air and landing behind me...,

10 ( +12 / -2 )

There has got to be a lot of wind damage after that one..... I'm quite far east of the eye of this typhoon and the wind was quite strong. Was worried for my carport. Gonna be a lot of handymen quite busy for the next few weeks.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

My heart goes out to all those made an effort to stay safe during this terrible typhoon. However, watching the news this morning and I can not imagine why those truck drivers thought they had the need to cross the bridges knowing how bad the typhoon was. And people walking around right smack in the middle to debris flying around them. People, stay home or inside buildings. Even though the weather agencies gave continued updates, people still felt they had the need to go outside to convenience stores and so on. Why Japanese people, why?

11 ( +12 / -1 )

 I can not imagine why those truck drivers thought they had the need to cross the bridges knowing how bad the typhoon was. 

Not need, plain ignorance and stupidity. Not to mention that bridges like that SHOULD be off limits during typhoons. The cops SHOULD have blocked off both entrances to the bridge and stopped all traffic from crossing!

There are a number of bridges down here that have huge iron gates that are closed during typhoons to prevent accidents like this from happening.

The local governments really need to train their emergency personal about what to do and how to react during typhoons like this!

11 ( +14 / -3 )

Lots of pictures here if you want to see of strong it was :

https://www.asahi.com/articles/photo/AS20180904002919.html

This typhoon season is full of surprises for sure !

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Frankly surprised the death toll isn't much higher, given the footage on the news and the constant trail of idiots walking/driving about in 130mph wind gusts. But as Yubaru says about the state has a role to play as well, keeping the idiots off the streets. While I'm no fan of police states, in the US curfews are issued when major storms strike. One is in effect right now on the Gulf Coast.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Woah, this one was rough. I felt the mansion swaying due to the wind and lots of stuff flying in the air. Glad there was only material damage in my neighborhood, no stubborn old people being flown from rooftops. But I think Japan needs to rethink using sheets and tiles for rooftops and buildings because that caused the most damage.

Also, KIX problem was just waiting to happen! Only ONE bridge in and out, I always thought that was going to be a problem. KIX needs ferry access or another bridge from Kobe. It took only one ship to take out the only exit/entrance to kix.

And as Yubaru said, they should block elevated roads/bridges in case of wind and especially typhoons, but that requires common sense.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

where are all the talking heads from yesterday who were saying the weather service was overreacting and scaremongering the public? egg meets face.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

Watching the number of fools walking/driving about, and watching my neighbour strolling around outside with no purpose other than to take a look, whilst another neighbour's roof was coming off and all the metal sheets flying around, I wondered how insurance companies deal with this. Do they pay out for a driver recklessly crossing a bridge in these conditions and trashing his truck, or treat it like trashing a vehicle whilst drunk - i.e. rightfully blame the driver and refuse to pay out?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

papigiulio: KIX needs ferry access or another bridge from Kobe.

Actually there is a scheduled ferry service between Kobe Airport and KIX, departing every hour or so, and watching the news this morning, it is now being used to evacuate thousands of people stranded in KIX; gotta be a busy day!

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Got woken up by the wind and rain around 2 or 3am up here in Hakodate. It was so loud, and I think the typhoon had been downgraded to a tropical storm by then. Must have been so scary down south,

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I can only imagine what that truck driver was thinking when the truck went up on the bridge!!!!!

He was probably thinking, "Why does my boss and coworkers pressure me into driving in a fricken' typhoon?"

But he probably also made a mental not to not let that show on his face or in his comments as everyone 'otsukare'd' each other for 'bravely' going to/from work during 'the strongest typhoon in 25 years'...

9 ( +9 / -0 )

bones - I can only imagine what that truck driver was thinking when the truck went up on the bridge!!!!!

I know what he wasn’t thinking - “This is just my job. It’s not worth dying for.”

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Agreed, I've given up on umbrellas in rain, especially with wind. Glad it wasn't worse for the death toll wasn't higher but I hope it doesn't climb. Don't go out in typhoons, the flying stuff can kill you.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I have to say that I was one of those who underestimated this.

I went to the gym about 10, stayed for 2 hours walked out and it was sunny and a little breezy here in Osaka.

On the way home the winds and rain picked up. But this was just another “big typhoon”...but we don’t get those here, this isn’t Okinawa.

Not until later in the day when it hit full power and our large park was totally destroyed and I was pulling trees out of the road, and getting calls from people that their homes are being wrecked and businesses pummeled, that I realized how dangerous and large it was.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

A lot of trees down around my place in Shiga. Luckily not a lot of building damage around my area. Trains are a hot mess today. Paid a visit to Kyoto Station and saw a lot of broken glass on the floor. The entire north exit is closed off. Going home.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It was funny the news' in-studio analyst was talking about how stupid people were for walking around Shinsaibashi during the typhoon even though they have their reporter in the middle of it all.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Got stuck in Kyoto, no trains. My friends business was closed, no electricity. So during the typhoon I spent 2 hours walking around moving objects from the road and footpaths. Helped move trees.

finally home and found many trees down this morning.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

All those natural disasters and catastrophes increasing year by year and the main party LDP and right wing groups doing "banzai" to change the Constitution and bots of Gambare Japan to cheer-up strengthen military, all the money from taxpayers, is kind of irony Mr. Abe still there saying "daijobu" people, we will help you! Time to wake up and see the facts ladies and gentlemen. Only in one day all those disasters, unbelievable!!

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I've seen quite a bit of damage to overhead wiring and occasional flooding on various rail lines in the Keihanshin region. It could be quite a while before JR West, Hankyu, Hanshin, Keihan and Nankai train services return to normal.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Actually there is a scheduled ferry service between Kobe Airport and KIX, departing every hour or so, and watching the news this morning, it is now being used to evacuate thousands of people stranded in KIX; gotta be a busy day!

Ugh, I did not know this. Thanks

2 ( +2 / -0 )

where it is possible to stow the canvas walls thus permitting the wind to pass straight through an (unladen) trailer. thats all great when the trucks are empty but what happens when their full of people parcels and goods, cardboard boxes dont hold their contents very well when theyre wet. most trucking companies want their trucks full as much of the time as possible, empty trucks doent make money.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

OH my goodness! what a mess, Japan has has its fair share of disasters this year, this storm has caused billions of yen in damage, as for the lorry driver, well how stupid can you get? I supposer he's quite lucky in one sense as it didn't go right over and fall into the river/sea bellow, the amount of damage that has been caused is unreal, its very sad.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Canvas concertina walls transport trucks are never driven stowed. The top beams would not last 10 km. After the load is empty the canvas walls are lock back into the wall construction. This stops the top beams from fatiguing. The only benefits from using canvas concertina walls are weight and more points to unload ( from the side as well from the rear). So having canvas would not save this truck. Only a road barrier prior to the bridge entry would prevent this truck from get blown over.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

But I think Japan needs to rethink using sheets and tiles for rooftops and buildings because that caused the most damage.

Such a smart remark ! So what do you suggest as alternative ?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

All those natural disasters and catastrophes increasing year by year and the main party LDP and right wing groups doing "banzai" to change the Constitution and bots of Gambare Japan to cheer-up strengthen military, all the money from taxpayers, is kind of irony Mr. Abe still there saying "daijobu" people, we will help you! Time to wake up and see the facts ladies and gentlemen. Only in one day all those disasters, unbelievable!!

The leading nation of this globe has a bad track record on dealing with natural disasters. With Katrina it took years and in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria it's still a mess and it will take years again to restore the infrastructure.

No 'compatriot' in that country however, is discussing the nation's defence budget..

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@Yubaru

*I hope folks like this learn from this experience.

Using an umbrella during a typhoon can be extremely dangerous, not to mention holding on to a 4 year old too.

Better to wear a poncho, or some type of rain gear, other than an umbrella!*

Just for my own pride here, I left with the umbrella when it was barely sprinkling and the wind and rain picked up like crazy while I was waiting at my daughter's bus stop when the umbrella broke. I wasn't carrying my daughter and trying to hold an open a broken umbrella in a typhoon, I'm not an idiot lol

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I was impressed when my steel-framed house withstood the recent earthquake. It held up fine to the typhoon, as well. I was worried about the roof, as that was one thing we put off when we rehomed 2 years ago. (Is it "rehome" or "reform"? I've never been able to figure that out. It's hard to tell from the katakana, and either works in context.)

OTOH, one benefit was that a small tree in my front yard that I was planning on cutting down at some point, was knocked over. So, that saved me a little work.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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