Disaster PreparationAndre Trowell

New Country, New Weather Natural Disasters

In terms of surviving natural disasters, Japan’s got them all: earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, volcanoes, and on top of that torrential rain. When they happen, things like earthquakes and typhoons can feel quite frightening; however, possessing adequate knowledge and preparation, even these events can be overcome. Take the time to prepare yourself and ensure safety for when an unfortunate event hits. You might not ever have to put the following information to use: I didn’t think I would, but then again, it could just save your life one day.

Always be prepared:

PREPAREDNESS: …having plans in place to respond properly to a warning

Stay informed. If you’ve purchased a cell phone, register with your carrier’s emergency warning service:

Docomo, Softbank, AU, Y-mobile. All carriers will have an emergency warning system ( it may be disabled in your settings )

Set up emergency alerts1. Tap Settings > Notifications.2. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen.3. Tap Emergency Alerts to turn them on or off.

It’s also a good idea to monitor weather and natural disaster warnings on the web or television.

DON’T GET CAUGTH UNPREPARED

Prepare an emergency kit in advance.

Store enough for three to five days. Place emergency supplies and your telephone in places where they are less likely to be knocked over or buried by falling objects (on the floor under a strong table is a good choice).

Bring a card with contact information:

Emergency numbers to know: your office, supervisor, police: 110, fire/ambulance: 119, non-emergency police line: 099 254 9110

ACTION PLANS`

During or shortly after a natural disaster (such as a typhoon), if you feel that your safety is endangered by leaving your home or traveling to work, please contact your supervisor and let them know. Remember: your safety is the top priority.

Good to Have:

Money (including 10 & 100 yen coins for phone calls as well as small bills ( atms won’t work )Inkan (personal seal)Bank bookClothingDisinfectantBlanket

Plastic trash bags

Recommended Items:Bottled waterCanned (tinned) food & can-openerSimple non-perishable foods (ex: instant noodles)Flashlight (torch)First Aid Kit (with instructions)Copy of Passport and Registration CardCandles & matches/lighterPocket knifeRadio (battery or manually powered)Cell phone Hygiene supplies, toilet paper

Typhoons and Heavy Rain

Typhoon season traditionally falls between the months of June to September, but they can occur randomly at any time of the year. Typhoons are characterized by strong to extremely strong gusts of wind and enormous amounts of rain. A typhoon typically last for a couple days. Even without a typhoon, heavy rains are known to cause landslides and flooding, so it is important to stay away from cliffs, coastal areas, and river banks during these times.

Finding out about when a typhoon is coming your way will be easy as it will be on the news and your co-workers will likely be talking about it.

Typhoons severely disrupt travel arrangements. Flights and ferries will be likely cancelled as well as roads sometimes turning into rivers. If you know a typhoon is coming to your area, try to change your flight/ferry/road trip time by a few days before or after.

What To Do

Typhoons can and will switch directions unexpectedly, so even if it looks like it won’t be passing by your area, maintain vigilance and keep yourself informed on the latest news. Don’t underestimate the chances of a typhoon affecting you wherever you might be!

Secure any items you have outside. Bring in potted plants, bikes, etc. Tie everything else down. If you have storm shutters, close them. Most windows have safety wire running through them to

prevent shattering; otherwise, tape a big X on windows with duct tape. Don’t go outside if possible. There will be flying debris and, in worst case scenarios, downed live

electrical wires. Avoid the beach and other exposed places. You can and will be literally swept off your feet. Even after the storm passes, steep slopes, cliffs, and river banks are prone to landslides. If you live close to these areas, you may have to evacuate.

Fill your bath with water before the typhoon comes, water might be cut off and you’ll need to flush the toilet with something (wash your tub if you plan to drink any of this).

Stock up with food and water that will last you a couple of days as the supermarkets will empty remarkably quickly and won’t be re-supplied for a few days. This is especially true for island ALTs, as the ferries supplying the supermarkets may get disrupted.

Make sure people know where you are. Your office, school, and friends may want to contact you.

Earthquakes

Usually we are pretty lucky in Kumamoto. For those of you who have never had the pleasure of being knocked to the floor by a quake, don’t worry too much, you probably won’t have that experience here either. While common in the rest of Japan, major earthquakes are usually very rare down here. Nevertheless, you’ve all likely heard the news of a couple of months ago.

It is wise to know what to do if one does occur. Before the Shakes Now likely you won’t know an earthquake is about to hit, you usually have a 10 second warning

when you hear the quake coming underground. Nevertheless, to avoid injuries from falling household items, secure them to the wall. They sell cabinet clips that will keep doors closed in the event of an earthquake.( this is especially true after an earthquake, frequent aftershocks will be the ruin of all your loose furniture and items )

Prepare an emergency kit in advance.

During the Quake As difficult as it may be remain calm. Cover your head with a pillow or helmet. If none of these are available, use your hands to cover

your head. Turn off gas lines and extinguish all flames. Secure an exit by opening a door and then seek cover. Get under a doorway or table. This type of reinforced space is relatively safer. Stay away from windows. Wait where you are until the quake is over.

After The Shaking Stops Turn off all heating devices such as ovens or stoves and extinguish all flames. Tremors have a

tendency to displace gas lines and an open flame can be dangerous. Contact your office. Don’t go outside with bare feet. It is likely that there will be broken glass. Find open land and stay there, likely there will be people going to evacuation shelters. It may be

a good idea to follow them. Stay away from downed electrical lines. After a big quake there are often numerous after-shocks. Take necessary precautions to ensure

your safety. Be aware of landslides as well.

Volcanic Eruptions

We have our good ol buddy Mount Aso in our prefecture and if he ever decides he has indigestion this is how to handle eruptions. Traditionally Aso will send numerous amounts of smoke into the air, evacuation will likely be ordered to the area. Aso also is known for producing poisonous gas so be aware of alerts of such activity. What To Do

Remain calm. Stay indoors. Close windows. Turn on your TV to get more information. Contact your office for guidance. (Contacting the fire or police department is suggested, but if

you don’t speak Japanese this is not a viable option.) If you must go outside, grab your emergency kit and put on a helmet, shoes, goggles and face

mask. If time permits, place all electronic items in large plastic bags and tape them shut. Ash can

destroy electronics and is especially harmful to computers. When instructed go to a designated meeting place, shelter, or seaport. In the event of a serious eruption, proceed to the closest evacuation point. Each ward has a

supervisor who knows how to handle the situation. Know this information and location in advance.

Tsunami

Tsunamis are a series of large sea waves usually caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides. They can potentially cause extensive damage and loss of life. Tsunamis may hit before warnings are issued, so if a large, local earthquake occurs, evacuate coastal areas immediately. If a tsunami warning of 3 meters or higher is issued, evacuate from coastal and river areas immediately and continue moving to higher ground whenever possible.

What to do

If you are near the ocean and a large earthquake hits, evacuate to the tallest and furthest place you can get to.

NEVER go to the coast or river to check to see if a tsunami has come. You will most likely receive a phone message warning you if a tsunami is detected, along with

the estimated size and time of arrival. Choose where to evacuate to according to the information, but overestimate the size of the tsunami just in case. If you think it is not safe where you are, start evacuating! You do not need to wait for the phone message if you feel unsafe. ( if anything follow your neighbors! )

Tsunami come to shore in waves, which the second or third wave may be bigger than the first. Do not leave your evacuation site or go near a body of water until the warning has been removed.

Do not underestimate the strength of a tsunami! Even 30cm tall tsunamis can knock you down! Contact your BOE and let them know where you are.

Disasters can be scary but as long as you are prepared they should not be too much of a problem if they happen to occur.

Extensive details from http://kumamotojet.com/shin/index.php/living-in-kumamoto/safety/disaster-preparedness/

Disasters Requiring EvacuationEvacuations will likely occur after an earthquake when fires are spreading or buildings are in danger of being destroyed by landslides, or when a tsunami is expected. Police and fire authorities will issue evacuation advice. There are three levels of evacuation warnings:

避難準備　（ひなんじゅんび – hinan junbi） Evacuation Preparation.  The lowest evacuation warning.  There is no immediate need to evacuate, but residents are encouraged to begin preparations should the need arise.避難勧告　（ひなんかんこく – hinan kankoku） Evacuation Recommended.  Residents are highly encouraged to evacuate to their nearest refuge area.避難指示　（ひなんしじ – hinan shiji） Evacuation Order.  Remaining in the area is extremely dangerous and all residents should evacuate to the nearest refuge area immediately.If a disaster requiring evacuation occurs during work hours, follow instructions given to you by your contracting organization or school.

If a disaster occurs outside of work hours and an evacuation order is issued, proceed immediately to the closest refuge area.

Upon feeling an earthquake, JETs in coastal areas and near rivers should immediately evacuate to high ground.  If you cannot reach high ground within 5-10 minutes, take refuge on the upper floor of a tall building.

Other useful telephone numbers and websitesSexual Crime Help Line:    0120-834-381

Kumamoto police interpretation center (emergency only):  M-F 9:30am – 6:15pm: 0963-810-110, extension 4764

Association of Medical Doctors Abroad: Find a medical professional who speaks your language;  TEL: 03-5285-8088

For more information about Earthquake Early Warnings:

www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/Activities/eew.html (English) www.seisvol.kishou.go.jp/eq/EEW/kaisetsu/index.html (Japanese)

Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Earthquake Survival Manual:

www.seikatubunka.metro.tokyo.jp/index3files/survivalmanual.pdf More information go to http://kumamotojet.com/shin/index.php/living-in-kumamoto/safety/disaster-

preparedness/

Resources: Information about the following was gathered from the following websites:

http://japaninfoswap.com/family-disaster-preparation-survival-and-response-in-japan/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8375591/Japan-earthquake-country-better-prepared-than-anyone-for-quakes-and-tsunamis.html

http://www.pref.shimane.lg.jp/life/international/kouryu/kokusai/gaikokujinnsienn/tsunamisaigai.data/2014tsunami-eng.pdf

http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2058390,00.html

http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-typhoon.html

http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7111.html

https://www.ready.gov/volcanoes

https://www.tokyo-icc.jp/guide_eng/kinkyu/05.html

http://japaninfoswap.com/typhoon-preparedness-in-japan/

http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/GUIDE/BOSAI/

http://www.survivingnjapan.com/2013/03/how-to-prepare-for-earthquake-in-japan.html