🌬️ Signs of the Approaching Typhoon
In Urasoe this morning, signs of the typhoon were already strong before dawn, with gusts blowing in from the east strong enough to make the trees in the garden sway violently. Since we live in an older apartment building, every time a strong gust blows, a high-pitched “peep” echoes through the room, making it clear that the typhoon is definitely getting closer. According to the weather bureau, central and southern Okinawa are highly likely to enter the typhoon’s gale-force wind zone, with average wind speeds of 15 m/s or higher—strong enough to make walking difficult.
🕕 Morning Routine and Mother’s Condition
I woke up a little early today at 6:00 a.m. and first checked the weather forecast on the news. After that, I looked outside and realized, “This is really coming in full force.” My mother tends to feel unwell before and after typhoons, so I had planned to wake her up gently today, but since it was time for her medication, I woke her up once to take it. I thought she would go right back to sleep, but she suddenly got up to use the restroom and said, “The typhoon’s over, isn’t it?” When I explained the situation while showing her the TV, she replied, “I thought it was already over,” suggesting she had a vague sense of when the typhoon “arrives” and “leaves.”
🛒 Store Closures and Supplies
As of this morning, all San-A stores are closed. Union, which usually stays open even during typhoons, has no updates on its official social media, so its operating status is unclear. I went shopping yesterday, but the bread was almost sold out, and there were only a few cups of instant noodles left. Bagged noodles were completely out of stock, and many people were filling both the top and bottom shelves of their shopping carts—there was a palpable sense of people preparing for the first direct hit on the main island in a long time.
🚉 Transportation Shutdown
The monorail and buses have already suspended all operations. The airport is closed, and it has been announced that all ferries connecting to the outlying islands have been canceled. Currently, all transportation has come to a complete halt, making it virtually impossible to go out. According to the forecast for Typhoon No. 6, the central and southern parts of the main island are expected to enter the typhoon’s gale-force wind zone, and alert levels continue to be raised.
📱 Alerts and Evacuation Notices
Since just after 7 a.m., emergency alerts have been continuously arriving on my phone, and information equivalent to Alert Level 3 has been issued. In Urasoe City, notices urging early evacuation have been issued, and municipalities across the prefecture are proceeding with the opening of evacuation shelters.
According to TV forecasts, the Urasoe and Naha areas may enter the eye of the typhoon, and rainfall is expected to increase from here on. Right now, the focus is on the wind, but the situation is likely to change as time goes on.
🏢 Safety of Reinforced Concrete Housing
In Okinawa, many homes are built of reinforced concrete in preparation for typhoons, and the apartment building where I live is one of them. While they are safe barring extreme circumstances, the number of wooden homes has increased in recent years. Even so, I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels, every time a strong typhoon hits, that “reinforced concrete really does offer more peace of mind.”
🌈 Summary
On the morning a typhoon approaches, the sound of the wind and a barrage of warnings make for a restless time. Shopping and public transportation come to a halt, making it difficult to go out. It’s important to prepare what you can at home while prioritizing safety and not pushing yourself too hard. Let’s spend today quietly at home, watching the typhoon pass by.
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