OKINAWA, Japan - With typhoon season approaching, residents on Okinawa should begin to prepare for more than a little rain.
Typhoons, or cyclones, are violent tropical storms and consist of heavy rain and strong winds with the potential to injure people or destroy property. They are especially common in the China Sea and western regions of the Pacific Ocean, according to Glen U. Andrews, current operations and training officer with Marine Corps Bases Japan.
“The typhoon season that the U.S. military prepares for here lasts from June 1 through November 30 every year,” said Andrews. “This is when most typhoons form in the northwestern regions of the Pacific Ocean. An average of 21 such storms of tropical origin occur yearly.”
There are many ways to be prepared for any natural disaster, said Andrews. The first step is to make a plan and create a disaster kit.
“The importance of a disaster preparedness kit cannot be overstated when it comes to saving a life when a disaster strikes,” he said.
Once a typhoon is in the area, Andrews recommends all personnel begin to conduct typhoon preparations in and around their quarters. During TCCOR 1 Caution, all personnel are advised to remain indoors, however, during TCCOR 1 Emergency, all personnel are required to stay indoors until TCCOR 1 Recovery.
“Everyone should remain calm [during a typhoon], review your disaster preparedness checklist and update your list with things you feel are important to you and your family,” said Andrews.
The Air Force 18th Wing commander is the TCCOR authority for all DOD facilities and personnel on Okinawa, per U.S. Forces Japan Instruction 15-4001.
According to this instruction, only the commander can give the all clear following a typhoon.
However, any camp commander can increase the TCCOR condition until they feel the camp is in a safe condition, according to Mike Lacey, the regional installation emergency manager for Marine Corps Base Camp Butler.
“After the typhoon has passed, an internal and external check on your quarters and property should be conducted for any damage,” explained Andrews. “If necessary, contact the appropriate organization that needs to know about any significant damage, be it your housing agency, barracks manager or military housing emergency maintenance.”
To receive updates and monitor storm progress on Okinawa, log onto http://weather.kadenaforcesupport.com, www.usno.navy.mil/jtwc, tune into American Forces Network television and radio programming or call 634-4081.
For more information or to create an emergency plan, visit www.ready.gov, www.redcross.org, www.fema.org or http://72hours.org.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
MCB HQSVCBN Command Duty Officer 645-7315
Base Officer of the Day 645-7218
Camp Foster Base Access Operator 098-892-5111
Military Police (from on-base) 911
Military Police (from off-base) 098-970-3423/3887
Ambulance and Fire Department
(from on-base) 911
(from off-base) 098-83-7911
Kadena AB Access Operator 098-938-1111
U.S. Naval Hospital Emergency Room
(from on-base) 643-7338/7433
DISASTER KIT
BOTTLED WATER
• At least one gallon daily per person for up to seven days.
FOOD
• Stock enough food for at least seven days consisting of non-perishable packaged or canned foods and juices, and any special foods for infants or the elderly.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
• Non-electric can opener
• Gas-powered cooker with fuel
• Disposable plates and utensils
• Blankets and pillows
• Clothing to include rain gear and sturdy shoes
• First-aid kit
• Toiletries and hygiene items
• Flashlights and batteries
• Battery-operated radio
• Whistle
• Fire extinguisher, matches
• Dust mask
• Charged cell phone, extra battery
• Cash (dollars and yen)
• Credit Cards (banks and bank teller machines may not be accessible)
• Prescription medications, and glasses
• Towels, rags and mops
• Keys, local maps
• Place important documents such as insurance papers, medical records, banking information and Social Security cards in a waterproof container
FOR THOSE WITH PETS
• Proper identification, immunization records and medications
• Ample food and water
• A carrier or cage
• A muzzle and leash
READINESS LEVELS
Military installations use a system of nine typhoon readiness levels called Tropical Cyclone Conditions of Readiness, commonly displayed as TCCOR levels, to inform personnel of the current typhoon threat and actions they should take.
The conditions are:
TCCOR 4
Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are possible within 72 hours.
TCCOR 4 will be continuously in effect as a minimm condition of readiness annually June 1-Nov. 30
• Stock up on food, bottled water, flashlights, candles and other typhoon supplies.
• Secure items inside before going on leave or temporary duty.
TCCOR 3
Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are possible within 48 hours.
• Inventory all supplies.
• Prepare and fill water containers.
• Select the most centralized room in the house for a living area during the storm.
• Fill privately owned vehicles with gas.
• Pre-position emergency supplies.
• Initiate a general clean-up around residence and office. Remove all loose items outside and secure those left outside. Civil engineers usually travel throughout the base to ensure items such as playground equipment are put away or secured, but this requires cooperation from base residents.
TCCOR 2
Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are anticipated within 24 hours.
• Continue to monitor storm progress.
• Locate all utility shut-off points and prepare for immediate shut-off if necessary.
• Re-check outside areas for loose items. Housing residents are responsible for securing their quarters and all items outside the home including outdoor toys, bicycles, barbecue grills, trash cans, tables and chairs. Residents in towers also need to bring items from the balconies inside.
TCCOR 1
Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are anticipated within 12 hours. All military installations will take preventative action in preparation of an imminent typhoon.
• Fill bathtub with water for sanitation needs.
• Move high-value items to a central point in quarters to prevent damage.
• Check emergency lights and flashlights.
• Limit outside activities.
• Continue to monitor storm progress.
• If a fire hazard exists or power fails, turn off electricity, water and gas until power returns.
• No school for Department of Defense Dependent Schools. Children return or remain at home.
• Refuse collection services stop. Occupants must secure garbage, cans and bulk items
• Alcohol consumption prohibited.
TCCOR 1 CAUTION
Destructive winds of 50 knots or more anticipated within 12 hours. Actual winds are 35 to 49-knots.
• Non-mission-essential personnel released to quarters
• Secure/sandbag exterior doors/windows.
• Turn off all non-essential electrical items.
• Discontinue outdoor activities except those in direct support of urgent military missions.
• The base exchange, commissary, gas stations and all AAFES facilities close.
• Alcohol consumption prohibited.
TCCOR 1 EMERGENCY
Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are occurring.
• All outside activities are prohibited.
• Stay tuned to American Forces Network radio and television channels.
• Alcohol consumption prohibited.
TCCOR 1 RECOVERY
Once destructive winds have subsided. Actual winds are 34 to 49 knots. Widespread damage and hazards may still exist.
• Non-essential functions remain closed.
• No outdoor activity is authorized other than workers from predesignated emergency crews.
• DoDDS schools remain closed.
• Alcohol consumption prohibited until command sounds normal liberty.
STORM WATCH
The base is still experiencing effects of the typhoon. A storm may still exist in a nearby location. Heightened alert status is necessary to rapidly establish regular TCCOR condition in case the storm changes course. Hazardous conditions may still exist due to storm damage.
• Commissary and exchange resume operations unless otherwise directed by installation commander.
• Everyone will return to work within two hours from the time Storm Watch is declared unless otherwise instructed by their commander.
• DoDDS teachers and staff will return to work during normal work hours, but students will not report until “All Clear” unless otherwise instructed.
• Alcohol consumption prohibited.
ALL CLEAR
All clear is announced by each camp commander as they declare hazards no longer exist. However, be alert to possible damage and hazardous road conditions. DoDDS teachers, staff and students will return to school during normal hours.