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Typhoon Bolaven lashes Japan's Okinawa Typhoon Bolaven lashes Japan's Okinawa
(about 4 hours later)
A powerful typhoon has crashed into the Japanese island of Okinawa, forcing thousands of residents to take cover. A powerful typhoon has moved past the Japanese island of Okinawa, causing blackouts and forcing thousands of residents indoors.
Forecasters are predicting that the slow-moving Typhoon Bolaven could be the strongest storm to strike the island in more than 50 years. Forecasters had predicted slow-moving Typhoon Bolaven could be the strongest storm to hit the area in over 50 years.
Residents have been told to stay indoors and protect themselves against the strong winds and heavy rain. At least four people were injured, but reported wind speeds on Okinawa and nearby Amami were lower than forecast.
State broadcaster NHK said gusts could overturn cars, while waves around the island could reach 12m (40ft). About 57,000 people on the islands were left without power, Japanese media reported.
Japan's meteorological agency estimated wind speeds near the storm's centre at around 180km/h (112 mph), while extremely strong gusts were reaching 252 km/h. Residents had been told to stay at home and protect themselves against the strong winds and heavy rain.
The storm is expected to bring as much as 500mm (20in) of rain in the 24 hours before noon local time (0300 GMT) on Monday, according to the agency. Public broadcaster NHK said gusts could overturn cars, while waves around the island could reach 12m (40ft).
Japan's meteorological agency estimated wind speeds near the storm's centre at around 180km/h (112 mph), with extremely strong gusts reaching 252 km/h.
But NHK reported early Monday morning that the strongest gusts measured on the islands - on Amami, north of Okinawa - reached just 140km/h, according to the AP news agency.
"The winds weren't as strong as expected. We're glad there's no major damage so far," crisis management official Yoshimitsu Matsusaki was quoted as saying by AP.
The storm was expected to dump up to 350mm (20in) of rain on Okinawa and 250mm on Amami, NHK reported.
All domestic and international flights out of the island's Naha Airport have been cancelled.All domestic and international flights out of the island's Naha Airport have been cancelled.
Some 200 households are already without electricity, and hundreds of people have taken shelter in public buildings on the island.Some 200 households are already without electricity, and hundreds of people have taken shelter in public buildings on the island.
Trees 'bending'Trees 'bending'
Hannah Bryan, who is visiting her sister in Okinawa from Britain, told the BBC that she and several others would try to weather the storm in her sister's house.Hannah Bryan, who is visiting her sister in Okinawa from Britain, told the BBC that she and several others would try to weather the storm in her sister's house.
"We are planning on putting lots of duvets in the middle of the living room and staying together, away from the windows," she said"We are planning on putting lots of duvets in the middle of the living room and staying together, away from the windows," she said
"It is really windy at the moment and it is getting stronger and stronger. The trees are bending outside.""It is really windy at the moment and it is getting stronger and stronger. The trees are bending outside."
British tourist Paul Graham, whose flight out of Okinawa has been cancelled, said the streets in Naha were deserted.British tourist Paul Graham, whose flight out of Okinawa has been cancelled, said the streets in Naha were deserted.
"It is quite stormy at the moment, very windy and very wet. There is a canal nearby here, and there is concern about its levels in this weather," he told the BBC."It is quite stormy at the moment, very windy and very wet. There is a canal nearby here, and there is concern about its levels in this weather," he told the BBC.
Typhoon Bolaven comes just after Typhoon Temblin, which has caused widespread damage in Taiwan.Typhoon Bolaven comes just after Typhoon Temblin, which has caused widespread damage in Taiwan.
The latest typhoon is the 15th destructive storm of the season in East Asia.The latest typhoon is the 15th destructive storm of the season in East Asia.
Are you in Okinawa? Are you preparing for the typhoon? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Okinawa? Are you preparing for the typhoon? Send us your comments using the form below.
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