We were in Ueno, Tokyo during the super typhoon Hagibis which quickly escalated to a level 5 emergency warning, however we were very safe and lucky to be protected from the worst of the storm due to our location.
We took shelter indoors having made sure we had provisions the day prior, we also filled our bathtub and sink with water to be used in case of a blackout and bought fresh water as well as charging all devices and packing a bag in case of evacuation, our closest evacuation center being a primary school just 300 meters from the house.
Getting advice in English was a big priority however with some online research we were able to find NHK World news in English and use a button labeled Onsei kirikae 音声切換（or 音声切替) on our TV remote controller, which allowed us to switch the language on the news broadcast from Japanese to English. And we followed JST on Twitter.
We used our Google translator apps for the headlines and occassional warning advice. And we made the news in NZ.
And of course, we watched the Samoa vs Ireland game which was still being played in the south of Japan.
We also made sure we had plenty to entertain ourselves including books to read, Netflix shows and I caught up on some work and started writing this blog as we cycled between fear and boredom waiting out the storm.
At 6:21pm there was a magnitude-5.3 earthquake shortly before the typhoon made landfall which made the whole house shake, luckily there was no damage or any tsamumi risk but it certainly added to the apocalyptic feel of the night with the winds howling, the rain pouring and barely anyone outdoors, while the news broadcaster repeatedly urged viewers to take all necessary precautions to protect their lives.
There were record amounts of rainfall in many areas. Officials urging people this morning to still be on the alert for more flooding and possible landslides.
Evacuation orders remain in effect for nearly 5 million people so there is still a lot to do to ensure their safety and clean up, however we are very glad to have woken up and see that the storm has passed and the sun was shining.
