Powerful typhoon Hinnamnor headed for Japan, Okinawa

On August 31, the Japan Meteorological Agency JMA said that TOKYO powerful typhoon Hinnamnor is expected to approach the Okinawa and Amami regions in southern Japan. It is calling for residents to be on their guard against strong winds, high waves, landslides and flooding.

The typhoon, the 11th to form this year, was located south of Japan and heading west at a speed of 35 kilometers per hour. It was classed as very strong, with a central atmospheric pressure of 950 hectopascals. The maximum sustained wind speed near its center was 45 meters per second 162 kph with a maximum wind gust speed of 65 m s 234 kph The agency predicted that the Okinawa region could be hit with winds and gusts of the same strength on August 31. It called for people to stay inside strong buildings and take countermeasures such as staying away from windows.

The JMA predicted waves of up to 9 meters in the Okinawa region and up to 6 meters in the Amami region for Aug. 31.

The Okinawa region was expected to be hit with 200 to 300 millimeters of rain over the 24 hour period up to 6 a.m. on Sept. 1.