Residential Damage in Kyushu due to Typhoons in 2004

Abstract

Ten typhoons landed in Japan in 2004. Three typhoons (Chaba, Songda, and Meari) hit the Kyushu area, Japan. Residential houses, public facilities, and power transmission equipments suffered severe damage. During Typhoon Songda, strong winds exceeding 50 m/s were observed at many observation points of NeWMeK, and more than 12,000 houses were damaged in the Kumamoto Prefecture.The Saga Prefecture was distant from the path of Typhoon Tokage, which did not strike Kyushu island; nevertheless, associated structural damage in the area due to the typhoon was most severe in Kyushu. In the Saga Prefecture, 1,429 houses were damaged. A wind known a katabatic wind in the area blows from the northern mountains in winter. The strong winds may have blown with the north wind associated with Typhoon Tokage. We report the damage associated with the typhoons in Kyushu.