Preparations prevent typhoon damage

Photo By Emanuel Melton | The wrath of Typhoon Bolaven is still felt on Okinawa Aug. 28, one day after the storm passed over the island. No serious damage to installations was reported, due in part to preparations made before the typhoon’s arrival.  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

08.26.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Brianna Christensen 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP FOSTER, Japan - Typhoon Bolaven made landfall on Okinawa after sunset Aug. 26, bringing heavy winds and rain, which toppled trees and flooded streets.

No serious damage of installations on Okinawa has been reported due in part to preparations made before the typhoon’s arrival.

“There was minor damage to trees and property, but nothing major and no rescues were needed,” said Gunnery Sgt. Ricardo Valdes, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the District South Provost Marshal’s Office, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler.

While military policemen patrolled the camps and stations before the storm, they stopped by any house with outdoor items that could possibly become projectiles and ensured they were tied down or secured.

“This was forecast to be one of the worst typhoons to hit Okinawa in 13 years,” said Valdes. “It is always a good idea to give people a reminder, so objects do not become projectiles and hurt people or structures.”

Camp preparation normally starts several days before a typhoon, according to Ray A. Welch, the Camp Foster and Camp Lester deputy camp commander.

“A lot of people don’t realize that camp services helps manage some 1,828 acres including Foster, Lester, Plaza, Kishaba, (Marine Corps Air Station) Futenma and other compounds,” said Welch. “We have (approximately 26 miles) of fence line and 43 miles of roads. If it were not for a community effort from all our supporting organizations like Marine Corps Community Services, Department of Defense Education Activity, Army and Air Force Exchange Service, the Red Cross and the United Services Organization, none of this would have been possible.”

The community was also very much aware of the situation and completed the steps required, such as tying down any possible projectiles and placing sandbags around doors to prevent water leakage, according to Welch.

The maximum sustained wind speed on Kadena Air Base was 67 mph with gusts up to 85 mph, according to Air Force Master Sgt. Joseph Round, the weather flight chief for 18th Operations Support Squadron, Weather Flight, Kadena Air Base.

The typhoon also dumped nearly 9 inches of rain, according to Sgt. Hans C. Hanner, a meteorological and oceanographical analyst forecaster with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Futenma.

While this storm did not turn out to be as bad as many anticipated, Bolaven could have caused much more damage if service members and their families were not prepared.

“The precautions that were taken helped prevent a lot of damage during this storm,” said Heather L. Huller, a typhoon watch officer for Camp Foster. “Most damage is usually caused by objects such as trampolines and kids’ toys becoming projectiles. The bases have become more aggressive about typhoon awareness, so there was minimal debris left out and minimal damage caused.”

• Date Taken: 08.26.2012
• Date Posted: 08.30.2012 01:37
• Story ID: 94010
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP