Japan: Typhoon Trami adjusts path to hit Japan September 30 /update 2

Event

Typhoon Trami adjusted its path and as of Thursday, September 27, is now forecast to curve toward Japan and follow the Ryukyu Islands to the Japanese mainland. The typhoon is predicted to bring heavy rains and flooding to Okinawa and the other Ryukyu Islands beginning late Friday (local time), September 28, and continuing through the weekend. Trami is the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane, though it will likely gain strength as it accelerates out of its currently stalled position and moves north, before arriving in southern mainland Japan on Sunday, September 30. The storm's eye will pass just east of Kyushu and Shikoku before making landfall near Osaka and continuing up central Japan, bringing strong winds and heavy surf to the southern coast of Japan. Transportation delays, including at the recently fully operational Kansai International Airport (KIX), are likely. The typhoon's new path takes it away from the Philippines and Taiwan, though northern and eastern Taiwan will still likely be affected by heavy rain and strong surf. Southern South Korea will also likely see heavy rain and strong winds beginning Sunday.

As of 12:00 on Thursday, Trami is located approximately 1110 km (690 mi) south of Kagoshima and 538 km (335 mi) south of Okinawa. It is producing sustained winds of 167 km/h (104 mph) and gusts of 204 km/h (127 mph). Current forecasts predict it will likely strengthen to a Category 3-equivalent with sustained winds of 204 km/h (127 mph) and gusts of 250 km/h (155 mph).

Context

Tropical cyclones and typhoons are common in the western Pacific from June through November. Japan has experienced seven typhoons since July, including Typhoon Jebi which made landfall in early September. Jebi was the strongest tropical storm to hit Japan since 1993 and killed 17 people and caused extensive damage, including forcing the closure of KIX after flooding its runways and main terminal and damaging the bridge to the mainland.

Advice

Individuals present in the abovementioned regions are advised to monitor local weather reports, anticipate transportation and power disruptions, obey instructions issued by the local authorities, and avoid flood-prone areas until the situation stabilizes. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.