Earthquakes, typhoons, and other natural disasters
At 3:38 on the morning of January 13th, 1945 a strong, shallow earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck the Mikawa Area of Aichi Prefecture, 40 km south-east of Nagoya. It was felt as far away as Hiroshima. For 3 days after the earthquake, there were more than 30 sizeable aftershocks. The earthquake itself was considered an aftershock of the magnitude 8.0 earthquake that occurred off the southern coast of Mie just 37 days earlier. The earthquake centered just outside of modern day Nishio, killing 756 people and damaging or destroying nearly 6 out of 10 buildings in the city alone.
Geologists estimate that there is a strong possibility that a another very powerful earthquake, like the one above, will strike the Tokai Region (Gifu, Aichi, Shizuoka) in the near future. September 1st, the anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, is known as Disaster Prevention Day. If you come from a part of the World where earthquakes are rare, now is a good time as any to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the BIG ONE.
Designated Tsunami Evacuation Buildings in Nagoya City
In order to protect human life in other coastal and low-lying areas of the city that may be affected by a tsunami, the City of Nagoya has designated certain buildings in these areas as tsunami evacuation buildings.
Maps of Shelters and Safe Areas
Download English versions of Nagoya City Shelters and Safe Areas – find out where you can go in case of earthquake, flooding, or other disaster.
Listen and Download Disaster Prevention PSAs
Disaster Prevention PSAs from the Nagoya International Center
Keep an Eye on the Weather – Weather Warnings and Advisories
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.
Nagoya Municipal Minato Disaster Prevention Center
The center’s two floors have numerous interactive displays. Staff members are on hand to explain each display and answer your questions. Experience the Big One in the Earthquake Simulation Room, try to navigate through the smoke evacuation training room, and fly back to 1959 to experience Nagoya’s worst ever typhoon in the 3D simulation room. Unfortunately staff cannot speak English, but the simulations alone are worth the experience.
Major Earthquake Preparation Guide
According to the Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion there is a strong possibility that M7.5+ earthquake could the Tokai Region anytime in the next 30 years. Are you prepared?
Emergency Message System – NTT 171
To cope with communications difficulties in the event of an earthquake, authorities have designed a message bank in which you can leave and access messages to record information about yourself and confirm the safety of others.
