Updated:June 5, 2017

Windstorms and Floods 

Extremely strong winds and heavy rainfall caused by stationary rain fronts and typhoons in early summer and fall could result in inundation, river flooding, and landslides. So it is very important to know in advance what you should do in the case of a disaster to minimize damage. When there may be a threat of serious disaster, Sasebo City issues various warnings and establishes the Sasebo Disaster Countermeasure Headquarters to collect disaster information and strengthen its emergency response measures.

Criteria for Issuing Heavy Rain Advisory and Heavy Rain Warning

Pay attention to the latest weather information. Weather information including heavy rain is announced by Nagasaki Marine Meteorological Observatory, and Sasebo belongs to the Sasebo & Higashi Sonogi Forecast Area (except for Uku Machi) and the Upper Goto Islands Area (only Uku Machi).

Heavy Rain Advisory

Issued when there is the risk that heavy rain will cause flooding or sediment disasters. The advisory continues to be issued even after the rain has stopped if there is still the risk of sediment disasters, etc.

Heavy Rain Warning

Issued when there is the risk that heavy rain will cause serious flooding or sediment disasters. The warning continues to be issued even after the rain has stopped if there is still the risk of serious sediment disasters, etc.

Check Safety Around Your House

1、Indoors

• Prepare flashlights and portable radios for power shortage.
• Prepare emergency supplies such as valuables for evacuation.
• Listen carefully to the weather forecast.
• Don’t go out without a good reason.
• Have drinking water on hand.
• If there is the threat of inundation, move household goods and livingware including food, clothes and bedclothes to higher places.
• Bring elderly persons, babies and patients to safer places.

2、Window Glass

Make sure glass, frames and trim pieces are secure, no cracks, rot or decay.

Cover windows with plywood.

3、Roof

• Tiled Roof：No Cracks, No Broken, No Loose
• Zinc Roof：No Curling, No Loose, No Buckling

4、Outer Wall

• Mortar Wall：No Cracks
• Board Wall：No Decay, No Loose, No Blisters

5、Gutters & Shatters

• Gutters：No Leaves, No Sand or Mud
• Gutter Joints：Sealed Properly, No Decay, No Flaking
• Shatters：No Loose, No Buckling

6、Veranda

Bring in all items that are not tied down. Potted Flowers, Laundry Poles, etc.

Landslide Monitoring Methods

A crack on the upper side of a slope indicates a landslide !

When the upper part of a slope is cracked, it could be a landslide warning sign.

After covering the crack with a plastic sheet, keep away from the slope and evacuate immediately.

Gullies & pipe-like holes indicate a landslide !

• Gullies are easily formed on crumble slopes.
• Gullies accelerate the collapse of the land between two gallies.
• Spring water on a sandy slope can cause a piping phenomenon and it may lead to a landslide.

Bulges on a slope indicate a landslide !

• A bulge on a slope is a pool of water.
• Be careful when you find spring water on the lower part and cracks on the upper part.

Muddy spring water indicates a landslide !

When spring water get muddy or water in creeks increases or decreases suddenly, it may be a sign of a landslide.

Small Stones Fall Before A Landslide !

• It has been said that small stones are falling continuously before a landslide.
• Be careful if you notice this kind of phenomenon when it’s raining.

Unusual sounds indicate a landslide !

Unusual sounds, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together, might indicate moving debris.

Keep watching even after rain !

Most landslides are triggered by accumulated rain water. So watch out even after the rain has stopped.