Typhoon 18W (Jelawat), # 22
Published: September 28, 2012
9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, Japan time: Whoo-wee, it’s getting BAD out there, gang. Already, we’re hearing of widespread power outages, debris being blown hither and thither as if carried away in a riptide. Gad, I sure hope everybody’s playing it safe and cuddling close indoors away from that mess.
We’re not in three-figure winds (yet), though Kadena Air Base has already reported 58-mph sustained winds with 75-mph gusts. Max felt on the island, 98-mph gusts down south where Typhoon Jelawat is unleashing its beastly fury. The worst is yet to come, I’m afraid.
Latest forecast wind timeline from Kadena’s 18th Wing Weather Flight:
-- Maximum 115-mph sustained winds, 138-mph gusts, 11 a.m. Saturday.
-- Winds diminishing below 58 mph, 6 p.m. Saturday.
-- Winds diminishing below 40 mph, 9 p.m. Saturday.
-- Winds diminishing below 35 mph, 3 a.m. Sunday.
Again, a reminder for those hoping to flee the lockdown when the winds die down: When Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 1-R (recovery) is declared, that is NOT the time to go out. Assessment teams fan out at that point to survey damage, flooding, downed power lines and tree limbs, etc. Best to stay indoors until TCCOR Storm Watch is declared. Always report whatever damage you may come upon to your local civil engineers.
