Typhoon 18W (Jelawat), # 23
Published: September 29, 2012
3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, Japan time: Wow. To say this storm is fierce doesn’t begin to describe it. The PHOTOS from around the island on Facebook and other venues are just eye-popping. Cars blown over onto their sides or tops. Tree limbs and power lines blown over, satellite dishes bent into the shape of tacos. Nasty stuff, to say the least. Kadena Air Base reported the most fierce winds at 74 mph sustained with 111-mph gusts, though it sure felt worse in some areas. Jelawat passed 9 miles north of Kadena at 11:08 a.m.
The good news, the worst should soon be over for the folks on Okinawa, and Jelawat should next begin an express beeline journey toward the Kanto Plain. Fleet Activities Yokosuka plans to set Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 2 at 4 p.m. and other U.S. bases will likely do the same in advance of the storm. Jelawat should pass northwest of those bases around mid-evening Sunday, packing sustained 58-mph winds and 69-mph gusts, just below typhoon strength but still pretty powerful.
On Okinawa, expect winds to diminish below 58 mph around 5 p.m., below 40 mph around 9 p.m. and below 40 mph around 3 a.m.
Especially with the damage we’ve seen in photos and video, do NOT venture outside during TCCOR 1-R (recovery). Assessment teams will be out surveying the damage and repair crews will be carting off debris and putting things back in place for awhile. Wait for Storm Watch to be issued before heading anywhere. Be smart and be safe!
