This archive report was first published on 16 August 2019.
Published on August 16, 2019, tropical storm Krosa made landfall in western Japan, bringing heavy rains and strong winds that forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights and trains.
Authorities warned of record rains and high winds, advising over 584,000 people to evacuate as some rivers neared flood stage. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported sustained winds of 108 km/h (67 mph) and gusts up to 144 km/h (90 mph) when Krosa made landfall in Hiroshima prefecture.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga urged people in affected areas to avoid going outside and make early preparations to evacuate if needed. Despite the rain, there were no reports of flooding, but one elderly man was in a critical condition after slipping off a wharf and falling into the sea.
Memories of the 2018 floods that killed over 200 people in western Japan still lingered, with some residents evacuating early to avoid a repeat of the disaster. Eighteen people, including a five-month-old baby, were trapped by a suddenly rising river during a barbecue, but were rescued by noon on Thursday.
The storm also caused travel disruptions, with the Shinkansen bullet train service halted in one part of western Japan, all local train lines suspended, and several highways closed. A total of 679 flights were canceled, affecting thousands of travelers at the end of Japan's main summer holiday period.
