Large waterspout makes landfall in Okinawa, damaging several buildings, Japan

A large waterspout made landfall on the island of Ie in Japan’s Okinawa on March 5, 2024, damaging several buildings.

The waterspout formed shortly after 11:00 LT in the waters between Motobu Peninsula and Ie Island.

According to local media, the glass at a hotel in Ie Village was broken, and a warehouse belonging to a nearby corporation was also damaged. No injuries or other casualties have been reported.

“I’ve seen several tornadoes before, but this is the first time I’ve seen one this big in my life,” a man in his 60s who witnessed the event said.

While Okinawa is Japan’s most tornado-prone area by size, such a large one is not common, meteorologist Sayaka Mori said.

Featured image credit: Ryuku Shimpo (stillshot)