May 26, 2016 • mccsokinawa.com
TCCOR 5:
Destructive winds are possible within 96 hours. (Only used outside of established typhoon season.) Stock up on food, water, and emergency supplies.
TCCOR 4:
Destructive winds are possible within 72 hours. Stock up on food, water, and emergency supplies.
TCCOR 3: Destructive winds are possible within 48 hours. Residents should initiate general cleanup around homes and facilities, obtaining appropriate food and water supplies, checking emergency kits, and filling vehicles with fuel. TCCOR 2: Destructive winds anticipated within 24 hours. Remove or secure all outside items around homes and facilities.
TCCOR 1: Destructive winds anticipated within 12
hours. No school for DoDDS students. Fill containers and bathtubs for emergency water use. Make a final check of food and emergency supplies. If you live in low lying quarters, make arrangements to stay with a friend.
TCCOR 1 Caution: Winds of 35–49 knots sustained
are occurring. All non-emergency essential personnel will be released to quarters and will remain indoors. Movement throughout base should be kept to a minimum.
TCCOR 1 Emergency: Winds of 50 knots (58
mph) sustained or gust factors of 60 knots or greater are occurring. All personnel will stay indoors away from windows. Outdoor movement will be restricted to lifesaving response actions.
Javier Brosch/bigstock.com
I
TCCOR 1 Recovery: After the passage of a tropical
t’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s your neighbor’s entire yard gnome collection! No, it’s all of those things because it’s officially typhoon season! Okinawa is the largest island in the Ryukyu Archipegalo, which is located in the subtropical region south of mainland Japan. Typical average temperatures on the island hover around 81°F from May until mid-September and around 60°F in the winter. While these temperatures can be considered quite comfortable, the hot, humid summers can spawn intense storms called typhoons. Okinawa is equipped with a sophisticated tracking system that warns island residents well in advance of an approaching storm. Typhoon tips and precautions are broadcast over AFN TV and radio, and current updates can also be found at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (usno.navy.mil/JTWC) and at Kadena Weather (shogunweather.com). Known as hurricanes
inside
in the United States, these powerful weather systems occur when the warm weather of the southern Pacific Ocean (between the Philippines and Guam) combines with cooler air from higher latitudes. Usually, a typhoon will start near Guam and sweep northwest toward Okinawa and mainland Japan. When a typhoon is approaching, it’s important to pay attention to the current Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness (TCCOR). During all of Typhoon Season (June 1 to November 30), Okinawa remains in TCCOR 4: destructive winds of 50 knots (58 mph) or greater are possible within 72 hours. You should always have on hand an adequate supply of non-perishable food, drinking water and typhoon supplies. And, when the weather is tumultuous, do not head near the ocean for seaside selfies, as colossal waves can suddenly crash over even the tallest barriers.
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cyclone, when destructive winds have subsided and are no longer forecasted to occur, survey and work crews are sent out to determine the extent of the damage and to establish safe zones around. All non-emergency essential personnel will remain indoors while damage assessment and cleanup is accomplished.
TCCOR Storm Watch: Hazardous conditions may
still exist due to storm damage. Stay alert. All military and civilian personnel must return to work within two hours or at normal duty hours.
TCCOR All Clear: The storm is over and not
forecast to return, and recovery efforts are considered complete by the Installation Commander. Resume normal activities.
We’ve created this issue as a kick start guide to your typhoon season—it’s all but waterproof. For more of our typhoon tips, check out pages 5 and 7 where we’ve generated a typhoon playlist, explained why it’s called a typhoon and not a hurricane, covered your typhoon must-haves and provided a few ideas for what to do with those non-perishables.
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TCCOR has been edited for length. For the comprehensive list, visit shogunweather.com/tccor. Courtesy of Kadena AB, 18th Wing Weather Flight
Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness (TCCOR)