Record 367 mm Rainfall in Chiba Kills Eight and Strands Thousands at Narita Airport

Record Rains Devastate Chiba Region

Record rainfall stranded thousands of travellers at Tokyo’s Narita airport on Friday and brought floods to the surrounding area that disrupted transport, knocked out power to 20,000 homes and killed eight. [5] More than 360 mm of rain fell in 24 hours in parts of the Chiba area adjoining Tokyo. [5] The amount was the highest over a 24-hour period since October 2013. [5] The rainfall inundated roads and railways. [5] Soldiers were sent to help with rescue efforts. [5] Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai told reporters that the case was an extremely unusual situation. [5] The governor added that he had responded to many disasters in the past but had never experienced a case like this. [5] The eight dead included one person trapped in a submerged vehicle, according to public broadcaster NHK citing Chiba authorities and police. [5] More than 20,000 homes were without power in the early hours of Friday after rain flooded a power substation, utility Tokyo Electric Power said. [5] Gas supply to nearly 13,000 was temporarily cut. [5] In Chiba city, one of the worst-hit spots, hundreds of people spent the night under foil blankets at makeshift evacuation centres in government buildings. [5] Some major highways in Chiba were shut, forcing drivers to take alternative routes that clogged traffic, said highway operator NEXCO East. [5] Several rail services were also suspended on Friday. [5] Weather authorities said the 367 mm of rain over a 24-hour period in Chiba exceeded the previous record of 309 mm set in October 2013. [5]

Airport Strands Thousands During Holiday Period

Flooding from record rainfall disrupts roads and transport in Chiba region. — Source: vg Passengers queued to enter the train station after train lines and public transportation services were suspended due to heavy rain at the Narita International Airport. [5] Airport staff distributed sleeping bags, water and snacks to hundreds of passengers. [5] Many of the passengers had bedded down on Thursday after transport disruptions stranded about 7,000 people. [5] Minoru Yamasaki, a 48-year-old Chiba resident returning from holiday, said he queued for a taxi but the wait was four hours. [5] Yamasaki had booked a hotel only to be told it could not put him up. [5] With nowhere else to go, he returned to the airport. [5] An airport spokesperson said most flights were expected to operate normally on Friday. [5] Some services from Narita to Tokyo resumed, easing congestion at the international transport hub. [5] Local residents walked in a flooded area after heavy rain in Oamishirasato, Chiba Prefecture. [5]

Flash Flood Warnings Issued in Indiana

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis extended a flash flood warning for Fountain County in west central Indiana, northwestern Vermillion County in west central Indiana and Warren County in west central Indiana until 1115 AM EDT. [2] At 739 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. [2] Up to 2 inches of rain had fallen. [2] The expected rainfall rate was 0.5 to 1.25 inches in one hour. [2] Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch were possible. [2]

Minor River Flooding in Illinois and Indiana

Minor flooding is occurring along the Vermilion River near Danville affecting Vermilion and Vermillion counties. [1] The minor flooding is expected to continue until late this morning. [1] Observed flooding changed to minor severity and increased in duration for the river. [1] The forecasts are based on observed precipitation, soil moisture conditions and forecast precipitation. [1] At 18.0 feet, minor flooding begins to some secondary areas. [1]

Lightning Threat Prompts Yellow Warning in Norway

The Norwegian Meteorological Institute issued a yellow warning for much lightning on Østlandet. [3] The warning applies from 17:00 Saturday until midnight. [3] There is danger of thunderstorms with much lightning. [3] Local differences in intensity will occur. [3] Lightning strikes can damage objects and cause fires in buildings. [3] Dry vegetation can ignite and power supply can be affected. [3] People should avoid outdoor activities in exposed areas such as on the mountain, in water or on open plains. [3] The yellow warning covers parts of Østlandet from Saturday afternoon until night to Sunday. [4] Thunderstorms may bring heavy rain and powerful wind gusts. [4]

Global Severe Weather Pattern

Separate severe weather events occurred across Asia, North America and Europe. [5] [2] [1] [3] Record rainfall affected Chiba in Japan while flash flood warnings covered counties in Indiana. [5] [2] Minor flooding persisted along the Vermilion River near Danville in Illinois and Indiana. [1] A yellow warning for frequent lightning and thunderstorms applied to parts of Østlandet in Norway. [3] [4] The alerts described heavy rain, power disruptions and transport impacts in each region. [5] [2] [1] [4]

What to watch next: Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch remain possible in the warned Indiana counties while the Vermilion River flooding continues until late morning and the Norwegian yellow warning runs until midnight.