YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — The U.S. military prepared for Typhoon Wipha on Tuesday, with the storm on track to make a near-direct hit on Yokosuka Naval Base and batter other American bases with strong winds and drenching rains.

Department of Defense schools were to be closed Wednesday, when the brunt of the storm was forecast to make land on the Kanto Plain in southwestern Japan. Only mission-essential personnel were authorized to be outside, with bases warning residents to brace for sustained winds of 52 miles per hour and gusts up to 75 mph.

Rain began falling over the area early afternoon Tuesday. The storm was expected to intensify through the night and reach its peak at mid-morning Wednesday.

Forecasters said a second storm was forming that appeared to be taking the same path with arrival expected next week.

news@stripes.com

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