On September 26, 1959, Super Typhoon Vera made land-fall in Mie Prefecture and devastated the Ise Bay area with winds of 160 mph (260 kmh). The typhoon, the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane, was the strongest typhoon to hit Japan in recorded history. It caused widespread damage and flooding, leaving over 5,000 dead (3168 in Aichi, including 1851 in Nagoya), 32,000 injured, and causing the equivalent of $US1.67 billion in damage. In the weeks after the disaster, significant numbers of the 1.5 million people left homeless also suffered from dysentery, gangrene, and tetanus.

The Japan Meteorological Agency gave a special name to Vera: the Isewan Typhoon ˆΙ¨˜p‘δ•—. 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of this disaster and serves as a reminder of what could happen again. Why not pay a visit to the Nagoya Municipal Minato Disaster Prevention Center and experience a simulation of the typhoon and learn about how you can prepare for the worst.

Photo: Inae Tram Station, Minato Ku, Nagoya City - September 28, 1959
© Nagoya City Disaster Prevention Management Corporation

- Why not visit the Nagoya Municipal Minato Disaster Prevention Center and fly back to 1959 to experience Nagoyafs worst ever typhoon in the 3D simulation room. - see here for more information

Keep an Eye on the Weather - Weather Warnings/Advisories ‹CΫŒx•ρE’ˆΣ•ρ
Weather warnings and weather advisories are issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) in the below categories:

  - Heavy rain ‘ε‰J ōame
  - Flood ^…kōzui
  - Storms–\•—bōfū and Gales‹­•— kyōfū
  - High waves ”g˜Q harō
  - Storm surges ‚’ͺ@takashio
  - Thunderstorms —‹ kaminari
  - Dense fog ”Z–Ά nōmu

gChuihōh ’ˆΣ•ρ advisories are issued when there is a risk of natural disaster.
They are usually abbreviated as’and usually shown in yellow on weather maps.

gKeihōh Œx•ρ warnings are issued when there is a severe threat from a natural disaster. They are usually abbreviated as Œxand usually shown in red on weather maps.

For example a "Heavy Rain and Flood Warning" would be an ōameEkōzui keihō ‘ε‰JE^…@Œx•ρ

- JMA Weather Areas
For general weather forecasts Aichi Prefecture is split into East & West and for weather warnings and advisories the JMA breaks down the prefecture into eight districts. The JMA districts for Southern Gifu and Northern Mie Prefectures are also included here.

When tuning into a local TV or radio station weather broadcast listen out for these key phrases and look out for your JMA designated area and you will be able to pick out the key information about weather warnings and advisories.

Weather Information in English
If your TV is equipped to receive dual-language broadcasts, NHK news at 7 pm includes detailed weather information. As well as weather warnings and advisories the JMA's English-language website provides up-to-the-minute information on typhoons and other weather-related topics. www.jma.go.jp/en/warn/