WeatherFanatics: Neoguri Makes Landfall in Japan, Still Poses Threat Despite Weakening

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Neoguri Makes Landfall in Japan, Still Poses Threat Despite Weakening

By Eric Leister, Meteorologist

July 9,2014; 9:23PM,EDT

Despite weakening, Neoguri remains a dangerous storm and residents across Japan should not let their guard down.
Torrential downpours will bring life-threatening flooding and mudslides to a significant portions of Japan. Dangerous conditions on the coast and in the sea will remain present as well as choppy water gets pushed onshore.
Neoguri, once a super typhoon, has weakened and is no longer in its prime state. Neoguri is now a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 100 kph (65 mph).
Neoguri intensified into a super typhoon early Monday morning local time (Sunday afternoon EDT). Winds peaked at 250 kph (155 mph) before it began to weaken.
Additional information and statistics on Neoguri can be found here.
Even though Neoguri is weakening, residents and visitors in the path of this cyclone should already be taking the necessary preparations and heed all evacuation orders.

Dangerous conditions, in the form of torrential rain, strong winds and an inundating storm surge, are currently pounding the the far northern Ryukyu Islands and Kyushu Island as Neoguri is moving onshore.
Making matters worse, parts of Kyushu received more than 150 mm (6 inches) of rain on Monday as a fast-moving area of low pressure passed through the area. This will also lead to a higher threat for flooding and mudslides.
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The worst of the storm surge is targeting western and southern parts of Kyushu, but all coastal communities along the southern and eastern coast of mainland Japan will experience an increase in water levels and extremely rough surf.
"Port cities and low-lying areas will be inundated by storm surge," stated AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Evan Duffey.

Heavy rain from Neoguri will bring concerns for major flooding and mudslides across parts of Kyushu, Shikoku and Honshu.
Southern Kyushu will endure the highest rain totals with widespread amounts topping 150 mm (6 inches) and localized amounts in excess of 380 mm (15 inches).
One mountainous location in Kyushu, Ebino, received 263.5 mm (10.37 inches) in 27 hours, ending early Thursday morning.

Flooding is also a serious concern across the island of Hokkaido and far northern Honshu, even as the storm tracks to the east. The interaction of moisture from Neoguri and a cold front will lead to torrential rain through Friday across these areas, as well as the neighboring southern Kuril Islands.
The strongest wind gusts, ranging between 95 and 130 kph (60 and 80 mph), will blast southern Kyushu and the far northern Ryukyu Islands. Such winds threaten to cause widespread tree damage, power outages and some structural damage.

Tokyo is expected to escape the worst of Neoguri but will still be soaked by some rain and buffeted by locally damaging winds Thursday night. Rain totals will average 25 to 75 mm with winds gusts of 65 to 95 kph (40 to 60 mph) before conditions improve on Friday.
Coastal suburbs should brace for rough surf and coastal flooding.
Although Neoguri weakened from its peak intensity, it still slammed parts of the Ryukyu Islands of Japan with winds over 160 kph (100 mph) on Tuesday. Tokashiki reported wind gusts to near 195 kph (120 mph).
NHK World reports that Neoguri has left one person dead and injured 38 others.
Waves reached heights of up to 14 m (46 feet), according to the Associated Press.
Travel in and out of the island of Okinawa was a nightmare. However, the main airport on the island reopened Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.
Neoguri passed only 75 to 100 miles west of Okinawa Tuesday. Winds also gusted to 160 kph (100 mph) at Kedena Air Base while more than 150 mm (6 inches) fell at Naha.
The Okinawan government told the Associated Press that Neoguri left trees toppled, flooded cars and bent railings on the southern island.
At the height of the storm, more than 105,000 homes across Okinawa were without power on Tuesday. That number is down to nearly 38,000.
Tropical moisture streaming across Okinawa through the end of the week will hamper cleanup efforts by leading to occasional drenching rain and thunderstorms.
Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski contributed to this story. Meteorologist Jordan Root also contributed.

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