What I Learned From A Typhoon.
Another natural disaster hit Japan. Here I was to witness it ( again ).
Typhoon Hagibis hit Japan on Oct 12! As a resident of this country for the last 11 years, it was another emergency situation that I had experienced on this land.
Hagibis was being compared to a typhoon that stroke Japan in 1958 and took the lives of 1200 people. The fatalities would not be so high with today’s technology but we are referring to a natural disaster. Nothing is accurate.
We do have a lot of typhoons warnings during its season.
The news were warning the population on the areas in the route of typhoon all week long. Tokyo city would be affected. Besides being the capital, the Rugby World Cup is being held. Lots of tourists. The Olympics will also take place here next year. There was a lot in risk for the Japanese government.
Grocery Stores were limiting the water bottles per customers but on Friday morning, most of the shelves were empty already.
The sight of empty shelves in big stores with their lights down brought back memories from the pos tsunami period. I guess all who lived those days here had the same thought.
The same sentiment I feel when I hear about a natural disaster around the globe on the news. The same feeling when my apartment is shaken by an earthquake.
The power of nature!
Preparations
My home is situated in a street that remained dry in previous flood situation. I wasn’t worried as I had food, water and my evacuation place is about 400m from home.
I was looking for a quiet, relaxing weekend at home reading Umberto Eco’s book, cooking and sleeping.
There is no tv or computer on my place. I had headlamps and the battery charger prepared in case of a blackout. Wet body tissue would keep me clean in case of a no bath situation like the one that happened after the tsunami. I had spent days without a bath that time and it was warm days.
Night shift done on Friday. House cleaned and ready for an indoors relaxing weekend, right?
Wrong!
The aged population is a major concern during an emergency. Living in the countryside means less buildings, more houses, more clear areas for the wind. The rivers, mountains and all the green we are proud to have close to us ( countryside residents ) become areas of risk.
Emergency Alarms
Based on location, the alarms are sent. I received a lot of them!
Saturday afternoon — be prepared for evacuation if needed. If you never been in a situation like this, it means that you have to prepare a bag with documents, food, first aid, clothes and know where is the closest evacuation center.
As the evening progressed, more alarms were coming. The rain and the wind were stronger.
For some time, I logged back into Facebook to follow the news in English. I am not sure if it was a good idea as I became worried about a lot of things and people.
The live coverage on the NHK app made no need for a TV or computer. Thank you smartphones age!
My lack of sleep was stronger and I fell asleep. A little bit. The alarms woke me up. Elderly and the ones with difficulties to move should be evacuated. More schools were being open for evacuation… Look for steady buildings if it’s difficult to move at night. It was a long night.
There was no blackout in my neighborhood. No flood. No damage. Lucky me!
After the last warning advising that all evacuation centers were being closed at 7 am on Sunday, I went out for a run.
The Following Day
It was a bright clear blue morning. Hot as summer time.
As I ran on the streets, I was surprised by the lack of trash! Leaves mostly.
The bridge over the river had lots of visitors like me. Pictures were being taken. Proof of witnessing another event.
The river I was most concerned about was like I never had seen before. Tonegawa is the longest river in Japan. It’s also the one I cross every day on my way to work. The one I run along in cool weather.
I ran along the river. Life was going on. The sports teams were training. Kids were playing, butterflies and other delicate insects and birds flying as usual.
The most affected area in a nearby village had no houses damage. The riverbank and the ”beach” were gone though. It was sad to see strong trees floating in the strong current.
A soccer game was being held as nothing had happened. A few residents were cleaning up while checking the damage on their beach.
We were luck! All the alarms were preventing ones. Life continued as nothing had happened.
Nevertheless, my city was on the news. A man was hit by his car door due to the wind! It made me upset.
Last week, I also was hit by the car door! I had an eyebrow cut and bruises on my forehead. I wasn’t mentioned on national news!
The Damage
Jokes apart, some areas were devastated. People who were still recovering from a typhoon last month were stroke hard again.
An earthquake was felt during the typhon. Mother Nature was really nervous last Saturday.
The city were I first lived when I came to Japan is under mud. The images on the news. I could be one of those who lost everything. The bed I am now typing on my phone could be flooded.
Now I hear a helicopter. It means that some rescue is taken place. I hear and see helicopters a lot on the mountains. I always feel grateful that I am not the one waiting for them. Just as I am now.
Sunday, I embraced my Japanese genes.
I went to an onsen (hot spring). It’s part of the Japanese culture. I am not a big fan of taking a shared bath but I enjoyed my time this time.
Dinner was a typical meal: Lamen.
Closing the night, I cheered the Japanese squad on the Rugby World Cup. I had never watched a Rugby game before and there I was, watching an unknown game in the lobby of the onsen with local strangers.
Japan is a strong country. The population may seem naive to foreign eyes. I feel that they are silly sometimes. I confess it. I also know how strong and determined they are.
Imagine if a disaster of this magnitude had hit another country, would a number of 34 fatalities be all? No!
Life goes on as normal. It doesn’t mean that we have forgotten what has happened. It means that it won’t defeat us.
One more lesson this country is teaching me.
Thank you, Japan!
