MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- For Iwakuni, tropical cyclone preparation begins before the storm.
The morning of September 7, 2004, super typhoon Songda tore through the station with recorded wind speeds of 139 mph, leaving trails of battered buildings, insurance claims and more than $1 million in damaged infrastructure. The record-breaking season of 2004 brought nine tropical cyclones and pushed the station to increase its state of readiness.
Typhoon season has always been a fact of life for Iwakuni residents. Each year from June 1 to Nov. 30, the station prepares for a beating from Mother Nature herself.
These days, with new amphibious vehicles at the fire department and a fine-tuned response and alerting system, Iwakuni is more prepared than ever to battle the elements in 2009.
“One of the main problems we run into each year is the flooding of our drainage system during the season,” said Chief Devin Johnston-Lee, station fire chief. “Underneath us is a 100-year-old flood table that makes typhoons very dangerous.”
Though the station’s drainage system is many times refined, a minor tropical storm could still leave roads here un-drivable, increasing the time it takes to return to normal airfield operations and the time it takes to transport rescue personnel to the scene of an emergency.
If water levels become too extreme, the station could possibly see dangerous flooding from the Nishiki River, which feeds into the Seto Inland Sea. A flood like that, Johnston-Lee said, would be reminiscent of the mayhem of Hurricane Katrina, the tropical storm that battered the Gulf Coast in August 2005.
“Katrina? Ha! Not on my watch,” said Johnston-Lee. “Just after typhoon season ended last year, we got Kuma — our new urban search and rescue and consequence management vehicle.”
Kuma, directly translated as “bear,” is the name of the fire department’s newest line of defense against dangerous weather. The department also maintains a similar vehicle, “Godzilla.” The vehicles perform just fine in several feet of water and are designed to deliver emergency personnel and supplies while pulling a lot of weight.
Johnston-Lee said the majority of calls to the fire department during a typhoon are about unsecured debris flying around the station and stranded motorists trying to drive during the tropical storm.
That’s why safety official Ron Shulock, the station’s tactical safety specialist, stresses the importance of the Destructive Weather Bill. Available for download on the station’s intranet, the bill acts as a typhoon manual and has information pertaining to mostly everyone on the station, including families.
“The majority of preparation comes from people living at home and in the barracks,” said Shulock. “There are certain things we should know to do when we hit different (Tropical Cyclone Conditions of Readiness). The more people that know how to respond to these events means less safety mishaps going on during the typhoon season.”
The TCCOR system outlined below can describe the condition and proximity of the tropical cyclone, and can further outline what steps need to be taken from there.
For instance, alcohol sales end at the announcement of TCCOR II, but consumption ends for all service members at the announcement of TCCOR I. According to the Destructive Weather Bill, this is so service members can remain unimpaired during dangerous storm conditions and fit for duty in the event of an emergency recall.
From the announcement of TCCOR IV to “All Clear,” television and radio broadcast mediums including American Forces Network Iwakuni and the Commander’s Channel (Channel 17) provide continual information on TCCORs and response procedures. Part of this mission is to relay new information to the public as soon as possible, using all formats available.
The Destructive Weather Bill is available on the Iwakuni station intranet at https://intranet.iwakuni.nmci.usmc.mil. Click on the Destructive Weather Bill link on the front page for download.
Tropical Cyclone Conditions of Readiness
TCCOR IV — A tropical cyclone is possible within 72 hours. Residents should begin securing unnecessary items outside residencies including bicycles, ladders, crates, trashcans and any other heavy items that could possibly become a projectile. Throughout the TCCORs, American Forces Network and the Commander’s Channel (Channel 17) begin providing continual coverage at all hours. Residents living off base with an AFN decoder box can tune into Channel 22 for typhoon warnings and conditions.
TCCOR III — Within 48 hours, winds of 50 knots (almost 60 mph) are possible. All leave and liberty is suspended as necessary. In homes, items that could be subject to water damage (including computers, televisions and appliances) should be removed from the floor and unplugged.
TCCOR II — Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are anticipated within the day. Off-base residents are authorized to move to designated on-base shelters when directed by the station commanding officer. Limited service is provided at the Marine Mart, food service outlets, Ironworks Gym, Marine Lounge and Hornet’s Nest, and all alcohol sales are secured. All check out lanes at the Commissary are open, but patrons should make sure to return shopping carts as soon as possible.
TCCOR I — In less than 12 hours, destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are expected. Matthew C. Perry Schools, the Primary Care Center, Child Development Center and pre-school close for business. Nonessential civilian personnel are released. For service members, alcohol consumption ends until the announcement of “All Clear.”
TCCOR IC (Caution) — Winds on the station have reached 34 to 49 knots (39 — 56 mph). The Commissary and gas station closes for business. Non-essential military personnel are directed to go home. Traveling outside is suspended except to those emergency personnel and those traveling home or to the mess halls. Everyone else should remain indoors.
TCCOR IE (Emergency) — Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are occurring. All personnel should remain sheltered until further notice. Except for emergency vehicles, all air station traffic should cease. The shuttle bus service is discontinued and all station gates are closed except for the main gate.
TCCOR IR (Recovery) — The worst is over. Damaging winds are no longer present. All personnel should remain inside unless authorized to be outside and unit accountability is recommended. The restriction of non-essential traffic continues. Post-disaster updates are broadcasted on television and radio mediums.
TCCOR Storm Watch — Due to the typhoon’s proximity, there is still a possibility of danger even though the destructive winds have passed. Continue monitoring television and radio broadcasts as information is continually updated. Look for the announcement, “All Clear.”
All Clear — It’s time to get back to work. During duty hours, service members and civilians should return to work unless told otherwise by their command. Air station operations resume as well as radio and television post-disaster relief updates.
Anatomy of a Typhoon
Typhoons, or tropical cyclones, are storms of low atmospheric pressure at the center where large amounts of latent heat of condensation are being carried upwards and distributed in a circular pattern, thus creating several thunderstorms, powerful wind and torrential rain. The tropical disturbances can create damaging storm surges and tornadoes on land if given enough time to develop at sea. Once the typhoon has reached land, it begins to weaken and dissipate.
The eye of a typhoon is typically the calmest part of the storm, but is a sure sign that it has become extremely powerful. This area develops when the low atmospheric pressure is being sucked into the troposphere, or the lowest part of Earth’s atmosphere. Normally circular, the sizes of eyes can range anywhere from one to 200 miles wide. The storms surrounding the eye are the most powerful in a tropical cyclone. (Information gathered from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.)
Build a Typhoon Readiness Kit
What comes to mind when facing a rainy day? Perhaps an umbrella? What about rain coupled with winds with speeds of up to 60 mph? After reading the Destructive Weather Bill, the Iwakuni Approach went shopping this week at the Marine Corps Exchange to build a typhoon readiness kit. Inside, there are recommended items for the home: flashlights, trashbags, masking tape, a first-aid kit, an assortment of batteries, wire cutters and some bungee cords or rope for securing loose gear. You might also consider a hand-powered radio, lots of canned goods and bottled water.