Powerful typhoon Neoguri hits Japan
Japan braced for one of the most powerful storms in decades as typhoon Neoguri headed towards the southern Okinawa island chain. Nearly half-a-million people were urged to take shelter as record level winds are expected.
One of the strongest
Neoguri, one of the strongest and biggest typhoons to hit Japan during the summer months, pummeled the Okinawa islands on Tuesday, July 8, packing sustained winds of 194 kilometers (120 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 240 kph (148 mph).
Destructive power
At least one person was killed and 10 others were injured as the powerful storm swept across the island chain, located some 1,600 km (1,000 miles) southwest of Tokyo. More than half a million people were advised to seek shelter. The region's worst storm in years damaged buildings and downed trees.
Storm surge warnings
Waves were expected to reach as high as 14 meters (46 feet), storm surge warnings were issued for Miyako Island and Kume Island in the southern prefecture of Okinawa and neighboring islets. Schools across the sprawling archipelago were closed while air and sea traffic services ground to a halt. US forces based in the area were forced to cancel all outdoor activity.
Torrential rain
Typhoon Neoguri - the name is Korean for "raccoon" - weakened from its original status as a super typhoon but remained intense. Rainfall of up to 200 millimeters (8 inches) was forecast for southern Kyushu through Wednesday evening. Neoguri, the eighth typhoon of the season, could also bring heavy rain to Tokyo later this week.
Well prepared
Japan, a wealthy nation with strict building codes, has a strong track record of coming through major storms comparatively unscathed in the last few decades compared to its poorer neighbours.
Nuclear concerns?
There are no nuclear plants on Okinawa, but there are two on Kyushu, which lies in the area through which the typhoon is likely to pass after hitting Okinawa. There is another on Shikoku island, which borders Kyushu. All are shut down due to national policy. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, which was wrecked by an earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, is on the other side of the country.
Typhoon Wipha
In October 2013, Typhoon Wipha lashed Japan's eastern coast, causing at least 17 deaths. Izu Oshima, an island south of Tokyo, was worst hit, suffering landslides and flooding. Over 30 inches of rain fell during a 24-hour period, the most since 1991. Meteorologists had forecast that "Wipha" would be the most powerful tropical storm in a decade. But the damage caused by the storm was limited.