Avoid Damage from Heavy Rain、 Strong Wind or Disaster

1. Heavy Rain and Strong Wind

There are many mountains and rivers in Japan. It also rains a lot in Japan. There are often natural disasters caused by heavy rain and strong wind.

(1) Damage from Heavy Rain

For instance,

• If it rains a lot in a short amount of time, the water level of rivers can overflow and flood homes.
• Slopes of mountains can collapse.
• Roads can become blocked and houses can become buried under earth.

(2) Damage from Strong Wind

For instnace,

• Windows can get broken by the strong wind. The broken glass can cause injuries.
• Objects outside (such as signs and roof tiles etc.) can cause injury if they are blown away by the wind.

2. Be Prepared

• (1) Look around the outside of your home.
  • If there are tiles missing, or if there are cracks in the walls or windows, fix them immediately.
  • If rainwater drains are clogged with leaves or sand, clean them.
• (2) Preparing Emergency Supplies
  • In a disaster, tap water may not be available, so stock drinking water.
  • Electricity may not be available either, so prepare a torch, battery powered radio, batteries, candles and matches.
  • See here for more information.
• (3) Find out where the nearest emergency evacuation center is.
• (4) Participate in the local emergency evacuation training.
• (5) Meet and interact with the people around you regularly and provide support to each other.

3. When a Disaster Happens

• (1) Pay attention to weather information on TV and radio.
• (2) Move objects that are unsecured, such as potted plants and laundry poles to a place where they won't be blown away.
• (3) Prepare emergency supplies.
• (4) Try to stay indoors.

4. Evacuation

In times of emergency or disaster, evacuation warnings are broadcast on T.V. and radio as well as from loud speakers from fire trucks and information vehicles operated by city and local government offices.
If you are home and there is an emergency or danger, go to an evacuation center.
Evacuation centers are safe places where you can find drinking water, food and disaster information.

• (1) Wear shoes with thick soles.
• (2) Turn off the gas main. Switch off the power at the breaker.
• (3) Lock the front door and windows of the house.
• (4) Head to the evacuation site with somebody else; don't go alone.
• (5) Power lines may have fallen. Do not touch them.
• (6) Walk on higher ground.
• (7) Be cautious when walking through water, as it may be much deeper than it appears in some places. Use a long stick to check the depth as you walk.