Standing Against The Storm

I'd like to begin bluntly: there is a typhoon approaching. The storm is large and intimidating. It is predicted to be on a direct collision course with our island. However, the islanders have endured worse storms before and we will pull through this time, as well.

Its English designation is Jangmi, or 台風6号 in Japanese.

I would be lying if I said I was unconcerned at the coming of the gale. While I have witnessed about four other typhoons on Takarajima since moving here, last summer, none have strayed anywhere near as close. Depending on the weather prediction model employed, winds are expected to reach between 40mph and 60mph. I have been using Windy.com to track the storm as it moves across the Pacific.

With the predicted path, it is looking to make landfall on our archipelago on Tuesday 2026-06-02. It is likely we will witness the eye of the storm, meaning there will be two periods of extreme wind on either side of a calm period, spanning several hours. Logically, the school and many other businesses have scheduled planned closures on Tuesday. As things stand, we have been instructed to shelter-in-place to wait out the storm. In the worst case, we will all evacuate to take shelter at the Community Center.

I have been preparing my home by tying down or weighing down any loose items outside, and bringing potted plants inside when I can. I will be battening the storm shutters tomorrow, to protect windows. I'll be filling the bath tub with reserve water for wash use in case we lose pumphouse pressure. I have extra food, 12L bottled water, and an emergency go-pack.

As of Sunday 2026-05-31 evening, clouds are beginning to roll in and winds are picking up (about 30mph). Nothing I haven't seen before, yet.

While the Jangmi is imposing, there are protocols in place to avert disaster and I have confidence that this community will weather the storm.

Thanks for reading,
Joseph