Prepare for a Typhoon early! Okinawa Typhoon season officially starts June 1 and ends November 30 of each year. They can also come early or later than this season, but primarily come during this typhoon season when the water and weather is warmer. It helps to be prepared for typhoons ahead of time. We are in what’s called “typhoon alley” which funnels typhoons towards the island from all different directions so sometimes the typhoons seem to come back to back.

Prepare For a Typhoon: TCCOR 4

We have a TCCOR (Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness) system in place for the incoming weather systems. This system is based off the weather unit based on Kadena Air Base. Once we are in typhoon season, we drop into TCCOR 4 immediately. No need for panic buying. It’s just the system warning us to get ready for possible tropical storms incoming.

To best prepare for the storms, use this time to get the following prepped for your home:

Candles

Water Bottles

Flashlights w/batteries

Backup Chargers

Camping type stove

Generators or solar power station (if needed)

Prepare For a Typhoon: TCCOR 3

Upon TCCOR 3 being called, this is your time to prepare for the more immediate type needs. It means that a tropical system has been observed and could potentially be coming toward the island within 48 hours. Use this time to clean up your home’s outside items and secure them. Tie down with stakes or sandbag the trampolines. Place garbage bins and recycling bins up by your house and secure all loose toys and bikes. Many people also bring motorcycles as close as possible to interior structures to break the wind impact.

Start preparing for the needs of you and your family. The commissary is going to start getting busy, so shop early. Buy extra pet food, extra diapers if needed, formula, snacks, drinks that don’t have to be refrigerated and packs of water. Also fuel up your car and pull a small amount of cash/yen out. (The winds often knock ATMs out for several days after each storm)

Prepare For a Typhoon: TCCOR 2

TCCOR 2 being called means the storm system is now headed our way and could be impacting us within 24 hours. Now is when people typically start panic buying everything in the commissary. Try to avoid the commissary if you can. Buy immediate needs, but not too many refrigerated items. Place a large water bottle in your freezer. This is so that in the event that the power goes out, you can swap it to your refrigerator and the inside will stay colder longer.

Prepare For a Typhoon: TCCOR 1 and TCORR 1C

TCCOR 1 means expect the tropical system or typhoon to impact our area within 12 hours. On base residents can get bags from Eagle Hardware and use the sand pit in front to fill up sandbags. These can be used for outdoor items (ESPECIALLY trampolines) and trash bins. Off base residents can get bags from Makeman (monkey store) and use the sand pits as well. There are shovels with the sand or you can bring your own.

TCCOR 1C means winds of 35 -49 knots are occurring and everything is closing. Go get your children from school, daycare, sacs/cdc. Bx and commissary and all base facilities are shutting down. Everyone is sent home to ride out the storm. Hopefully you have prepared enough to ride out the storm without too much chaos and aren’t too frazzled by the storm. Now’s the time to sit back, watch Netflix and hope for the best!

More Helpful Tips To Prepare For a Typhoon

A few other tips I’ve learned to survive the storm- place towels in/near the gap in your door. They will fill with water. Keep things (rugs/cords/furniture) away from that gap so it doesn’t ruin any of your belongings.

If your power goes out and food spoils (for on base people) photograph and inventory your food as you throw it away. Housing does reimburse for damages if you file for it.

Fill up your tubs with water. This will help if water goes out and you need it to flush. Be careful with this if you have small children who are attracted to water!

Have board games or card games ready in case the storm turns and powers out for a while!

Also if you live in a low lying area, park your car farther inland. The sea walls flood. Low lying areas flood. Park somewhere higher!

Some websites to assist you in your typhoon preparation are: