Powerful Typhoon “Faxai” hits Tokyo, leaving 1 million homes without power, killing at least 2 people and injuring 40, Japan

Powerful Typhoon "Faxai" made landfall in the coastal city of Chiba shortly before 20:00 UTC on September 8, 2019 (05:00 JST, September 9), bringing record-breaking wind gusts to parts of the region.

Nearly 1 000 000 customers lost power, more than 100 flights were canceled and thousands of travelers stranded at the airport. After hitting Chiba, Faxai moved over Tokyo, completely paralyzing transport across the capital – road, underground, sea and air.

Typhoon "Faxai" at 22:00 UTC on September 8, 2019. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8

Record maximum wind gusts were recorded in some locations, including 207 km/h (128 mph) in Chiba’s Chuo Ward, 176.4 km/h (109.6 mph) in Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture, 155.5 km/h (96.6 mph) in Tokyo’s Ota Ward, and 150.1 km/h (93.2 mph) in Miura, Kanagawa Prefecture.

The city of Izu registered record 109 mm (4.2 inches) of rain fell in one hour in Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Asahi reports. Records for September were set in Yokohama’s Naka Ward, with 72 mm (2.8 inches) of rain an hour, Tokyo’s Edogawa Wards with 72 mm (2.8 inches), and Kyonan, Chiba Prefecture, with 70 mm (2.7 inches).

Evacuation orders have been issued for about 2 000 people in Chiba prefecture. Another 400 000 residents in the greater Tokyo area and in Shizuoka Prefecture are under an evacuation advisory.

The passage of the typhoon is expected to bring sweltering heat to many parts of the Kanto and Tokai regions as the high pressure system in the Pacific Ocean gains strength.

Featured image: Typhoon "Faxai" over Tokyo at 21:10 UTC on September 8, 2019. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8