An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Typhoon readiness advice helps station residents prepare

15 Jul 2015 | Cpl. Jessica Quezada Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

As typhoon season begins to roll through, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, will remain in Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness IV status from June 1 to Nov. 30. This means, while station units and organizations are standing by and ready to respond in the event of a typhoon, so should community residents.

Service members and their families should prepare before a typhoon arrives, according to Simon Catling, a safety inspector with the Station Safety Center. The goal is to stay proactive and plan before the storm. The following items are some of the main supplies for a typhoon readiness kit that Marine Corps Community Services suggests to prepare: non-perishable food that’s easy to prepare, several days worth of water, a can opener, first aid kit, medications and other supplies specific to you or your family, extra cash, a flashlight with extra batteries, and baby supplies including extra diapers and formula.

“The key thing is to ask everyone to check their kits for expired items and add anything they think they may need,” said Keith G. Johnson, the assistant fire chief and installation emergency manager for the Iwakuni Fire Department. “If they don't have one, there is still time to build one.”

Please keep in mind, as Typhoon Nangka approaches, the MCAS Iwakuni Commissary, Marine Corps Exchange and Marine Marts may close if station officials declare TCCOR I status.

Once station residents are stocked up on the crucial necessities to get through a typhoon, taking safety precautions is the next step to avoid injuries, property damage and potential hazards.

Chris Yoneda, an assistant safety program administrator with the Station Safety Center, advises everyone living on base to secure loose items, as unsecured and innocuous belongings could become dangerous projectiles and ultimately station debris. A few things to consider fastening down are kiddie pools, bikes, ropes, shoes, gardening items, balcony furniture, backyard toys and lawn chairs.

For station personnel living off base, Yoneda urges drivers to look out for possible landslides in Iwakuni City. Typhoon Nangka is expected to bring increased rainfall and could cause issues for those driving home. Having extra items such as food, water, first aid kits and batteries will help in case of an accident.

The TCCOR status will dictate much of what goes on, on base, but the objective is to minimize traveling even before officials declare TCCOR I, said Master Sgt. Wilfredo Declet, Provost Marshal Office operations chief aboard station.

As Typhoon Nangka approaches this week, keeping in touch with family and friends stateside may be difficult, as communication services could weaken. The American Red Cross plays a vital role in connecting station residents overseas to loved ones back home during disasters, such as typhoons, through www.safeandwell.org.

According to Julian Coates, station manager with the American Red Cross, publicizing the Safe and Well website will allow family members of station residents, to check the whereabouts of loved ones overseas to ensure their safety and well-being.

Based on the past several storm-track updates from the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Typhoon Nangka is expected to impact Iwakuni on Thursday, with the center of the typhoon forecasted to pass within seven nautical miles of the station on Friday.

To ensure the safety of all station residents, officials will open the declared emergency shelters for disaster preparedness once they declare TCCOR II or as directed by the commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni, per Marine Corps Air Station Order P3140.3Z. The IronWorks Gymnasium and M.C. Perry gymnasium are the designated emergency shelters.

For more information regarding typhoon readiness, updates on Typhoon Nangka, or for information regarding services and contacts, please see the information below.

TCCOR Status: 253-8300 (Base Cable Channel 16)

Iwakuni Weather Services: 253-3005

Joint Typhoon Warning Center: or www.usno.navy.mil/JWTC

American Red Cross: 253-4252 or www.redcross.org

MCAS Iwakuni Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MCASIwakuniJapan