KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa — Dionne Tirschel nearly quaked at the sight: a handful of small cars embedded into walls of concrete structures, some as high as 10 feet off the ground.
It was Dec. 16, 1997, and Tirschel had just emerged from lockdown at Andersen Air Force Base after Super Typhoon Paka, with its 185 mph gusts, ravaged Guam.
"Like somebody throwing lawn darts," Tirschel, now a technical sergeant assigned to Kadena’s 18th Wing Weather Flight, recalled last week.
Such is the power that people need to be concerned with as the 2009 northwest Pacific’s tropical cyclone season approaches, she said. The season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, but already there have been two numbered and named storms.
Communication, preparation and avoiding complacency are keys, Tirschel said.
"People need to understand the risks and prepare for them," she said. "People might say, ‘Oh, it’s nothing.’ It takes just that one time for it not to be ‘nothing’ to cause some headaches."
Okinawa sits in the heart of what’s called "Typhoon Alley." Many tropical storms spawn east of Guam in Micronesia, track to the northwest between Taiwan and Kyushu Island in Japan, then curve northeast, with Okinawa a prime target between those two land masses.
Whether in mainland Japan, South Korea, Okinawa or Guam, preparation levels are governed by a series of tropical cyclone conditions of readiness, issued by base authorities as a storm gets closer to that particular land mass.
Longtimers on Okinawa and especially newcomers who’ve never encountered tropical storms are most susceptible to complacency, Tirschel said.
Not since Typhoon Man-yi in July 2007 has Okinawa entered TCCOR 1E (emergency) status. Last year, Okinawa never reached higher than TCCOR 3.
The average number of storms per season is 28; last year, there were 22.
"I understand people get frustrated" when they’re told repeatedly that a storm is coming, then it doesn’t, Tirschel said. "These things are too unpredictable. All it takes is the one to make you regret not listening."
One bit of good news is the chances of New Orleans-style fishbowl similar to when Katrina blasted out of the Gulf of Mexico are nonexistent.
"Our structures are built better than (in) the Gulf," she said.
Okinawa sits above sea level, and hills and buildings tend to provide some friction to slow down wind speeds.
But besides the wind there are heavy rains that can clog storm drains and cause flooding. Man-yi dumped 15 inches of rain on Okinawa in two days.
Storms that hit mainland Japan and the Korea peninsula tend to be weaker because sea-surface temperatures are cooler and wind shear stronger at those latitudes.
Wherever one might be, planning ahead is vital, Tirschel said. Visit the commissary to build an emergency supply. Clean up around quarters. Move bicycles and lawn mowers indoors or tie things down outdoors.
Local media play a role in keeping people informed.
When Okinawa is placed in TCCOR 1C (caution) status, AFN-Okinawa’s DJs remain on the air 24 hours a day, announcing accelerated TCCORs, weather updates, closures, "you name it," said AFN-Okinawa affiliate superintendent Air Force Master Sgt. Dorlinda Barker.
Other outlets such as commander’s access channels and online public affairs Web sites also provide the latest.
"The message is the same: Be prepared," said Master Sgt. Jeff Loftin, Kadena’s 18th Wing PAO superintendent.
Tirschel advocates staying indoors once a storm hits. "Don’t be out on the porch doing a typhoon party, or be on the beach watching the waves. That’s what gets people hurt," she said.
Even after a storm passes, she said, "a road could be flooded, power lines could go down. A lot of things could go wrong for you."
People can especially be fooled into thinking the storm is over if the calm eye passes over the island. As the back eye wall hits, "you go from calm to no-kidding winds immediately, sometimes even higher than before," Tirschel said.
Those living off base might note that Japanese people are out in their cars or walking even when TCCOR 1E has been declared.
"Don’t do it," Tirschel said. "They’re going to do their thing. The commander has directed you to stay inside for a reason."
Conditions of readiness
Following is a list of Tropical Cyclone Conditions of Readiness stages and what they mean to U.S. military bases and personnel. Wind speeds shown serve as a decision-making guide.
Final decisions on TCCOR rest with base commanders, weather forecasts, safety and operational and mission concerns.
Follow progress, path, wind-speed and direction of tropical storms at http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc.php.
Base commanders’ access channels offer current weather forecasts and typhoon warnings and alerts.
TCCOR 4: Destructive winds of 58 mph or greater are possible within 72 hours. Time is now to stock up on food and typhoon supplies. TCCOR 4 will continuously be in effect as a minimum condition of readiness from June 1 to Nov. 30 annually on Okinawa.
TCCOR 3: Destructive winds of 58 mph or greater are possible within 48 hours. Initiate a general cleanup around homes and office.
TCCOR 2: Destructive winds of 58 mph or greater are possible within 24 hours. Remove or secure all outside items.
TCCOR 1: Destructive winds of 58 mph or greater are possible within 12 hours. No school for Department of Defense Dependents Schools students. Staff and teachers will work normal hours, unless changed by the school district superintendent. Fill any containers you can use for water storage. If living in low-lying quarters, make arrangements to stay with a friend. Make final check of food and other supplies.
TCCOR 1C (caution): Destructive winds of 58 mph or greater are anticipated within 12 hours. Actual winds are between 39 and 56 mph. All nonessential personnel will be released to their quarters, DODDS schools will close and staff and teachers will return or remain home. Base exchange, shops, commissary, shoppettes, gas stations, services facilities, clubs, restaurants, recreational facilities and post offices will close. Movement about the base should be kept to a minimum. On Okinawa, security forces will enforce "essential vehicles only" policy, in accordance with Kadena Air Base operations plan 32-1, "Base Disaster Operations Plan." Other bases may use similar measures according to their tropical cyclone policies.
TCCOR 1E (emergency): Winds of 58 mph or greater are occurring. Outside activity prohibited.
TCCOR 1R (recovery): Destructive winds of 58 mph or greater are no longer occurring. Actual winds are between 39 and 56 mph. Nonessential functions remain closed unless directed by the installation commander. All but emergency-essential personnel remain in their quarters.
Storm Watch: Typhoon is moving away, but the base is still feeling some effects. Hazardous conditions may exist due to storm damage. In some cases, the storm could return, so remain alert. All military and civilian personnel will return to work within two hours or at normal duty hours, and commissaries and base exchanges will resume operations unless otherwise instructed by their installation commander.
All Clear: Hazardous conditions and winds are no longer present. Return to normal duties. All Clear is announced when all hazards have been cleared. DODDS teachers, staff and students will return to school during normal hours. From June 1 to Nov. 30, seasonal TCCOR 4 will resume.
