Local Downpour

Countermeasures against Storms and Flood Damage Local downpour is heavy rainfall on a narrow region in a Rainfall Intensity and Damage
Are you well prepared against typhoons, heavy rain and winds? short period of time, which often occurs in the end of Rainfall / hour Possible Conditions and Damage
Let’s check in and around the house. rainy season. Since local downpour occurs in a localized (mm)
area quite suddenly, it is difficult to forecast. We cannot hear each other due to the sound of
Significant damage 10mm ~ 20mm rain. Caution should be exercised even though
Safety Measures outside the House can be predicted due this amount of rain continues longer.
Roof to flooding of small or Sewage and side ditches overflow and small
medium rivers and 20mm ~ 30mm rivers are flooded. Small-scale landslides are
Outer Wall Check if there are any cracks, breakages,
caused.
Reinforce cracked mor tared walls gaps, or parts coming off in the tile or l a n d s l i d e d i s a s te r s .
and bulging or rotten wooden walls. zinc roofing. Pay special attention to Extremely heavy rain falls. Landslides and
the weather forecast 30mm ~ 50mm mudslides easily occur. People in dangerous
areas must be prepared for evacuation.
Concrete Block Wall/Gatepost Veranda and take appropriate
Put away fl ower p ot s an d laun dr y measures such as Rain falls in torrents squirting water from
Reinforce concrete block walls/ 50mm ~ 80mm manholes.
p oles to prote c t them from b ein g
gateposts if there are cracks or
blown away.
early evacuation. Mudslides easily occur, causing many disasters.
breakages.
An excruciating oppression felt, wide-scale
More than disasters are likely to occur.Strong precau-
Windowpanes Shutters 80mm tions need to be taken.
Check if there are any gaps or
Check if there are any cracks in the * Reference: Japan Meteorological Agency website
loosened parts.
windowpane or loose frames. Cover
the window with a board to p r ote c t Sediment Disasters
against gales. Gutters Sediment disasters cause natural phenomena such as rock fall, debris flow, and landslides, which are often triggered
Check if there are any fallen leaves
by an earthquake or heavy rain, affecting residents’ lives and properties.
or dirt clogging the spout, joints or
paints coming off, or rotten parts. Check high risk areas and signs that sediment disasters are likely to occur. Evacuate as soon as you sense danger.

Safety Measures inside the House ［ Cliff Failure ］ ［ Mudslide ］ ［ Landslide ］

◦Get the latest information via TV, radio or the Internet.
◦Do not make unnecessary trips outside.
◦Prepare an emergency supply kit including valuables, etc., to take with
you in the event of an evacuation.
◦Prepare a flashlight, a portable radio, etc., for a blackout.
◦Prepare drinking water in case of suspension of water supply.
◦If your living place may flood, move daily necessities such as furniture,
food, clothing, bedding, etc., to a higher place.
◦Children, elderly persons, sick persons and disabled persons should Steep slopes loosen due to heavy A debris flow is a phenomenon in Landslides occur by moving a large
evacuate to a safe place as soon as possible. or continual rain and suddenly which a muddy stream containing soil, area of the ground slowly and
collapse. You could fail to evacuate sand, rocks or trees rushes down a gradually. The speed is slow but it
About typhoon

Countermeasures against Storm and Flood Damage

because this phenomenon s l o p e fr o m a m ount a in s t rea m or causes significant damage.
happens in an instant. valley. The flow travels at high speed
About 26 typhoons occur yearly on average around Japan, and some of them hit Beppu City each with great destructive power.
year. When a typhoon approaches or lands on shore, it will sometimes cause great damage with Warning Signs Warning Signs
strong winds and heavy rain. ● Waters start to gush out Warning Signs ● The ground cracks up or caves in.
The arrival time, scale and course of a typhoon can be predicted to some extent. Get the latest  from the cliff. ● The mountain rumbles. ● Water of the stream or
● Cracks appear on the cliff. ● The water level of river lowers  well gets muddy.
information to avoid injury and damage.  despite the rain.
● Small pebbles begin to fall. ● Water gushes out from the slope.
● River water gets muddy
Wind Velocity and Damage  with the driftwood floating down.
Average
Designation of Sediment disaster risk areas
Wind Velocity Possible Conditions and Damage
(per sec.)
Current
strong-wind
10m ~ 15m Impossible to hold an umbrella and difficult to walk against wind. and Sediment disaster special risk areas (by Oita Prefecture)
area
Forecast
15m ~ 20m Impossible to walk against wind, some people may fall. ○ Sediment disaster risk area (commonly known as a “Yellow Zone” )
center You will fall over unless you hold onto something securely. Steel
positions 20m ~ 25m An area where life and proper t y of residents, etc., may be at risk in the event of a sediment disaster is
shutters start to break. designated as a “Yellow Zone” by the prefecture.
Outdoor activities are dangerous when it is impossible to
Typhoon’s 25m ~ 30m
stand.Signboards will fall down or fly around. Trees will start to fall.
○ Sediment disaster special risk area (commonly known as a “Red Zone” )
current
Current storm area position An area where buildings may be damaged, causing a great risk to the life and property of residents, etc., in the
More than 30m Roof tiles fly off and wooden houses start to collapse. event of a sediment disaster is designated as a “Red Zone” by the prefecture. Permission is required for
* Extracted from JMA reference. development activities and building structures are regulated.
Disaster Victim Certificate (earthquake, storm and flood damage, etc.) Early Evacuation and Daily Precautions
After investigation of damage caused by natural disasters such as an earthquake, tsunami, storm, flood,
etc., a “Disaster Victim Certificate” will be issued to a victim to certify the damage. ◦Being familiar with the area where you live makes early evacuation possible and helps protect
(Application and inquiries) Crisis Management Section Tel: 0977-21-2255 your life.
[For your information] Fire Prevention Division, Firefighting Headquarters will issue a Disaster Victim Certificate. ◦Check nearby evacuation sites and secure evacuation routes in case of emergency.
34 35