![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/K2LFJ3P6Z5N6XNPCUPZOJV3FTU-1024x683.webp\")
A flooded area in front of a convenience store, with a submerged passenger car, in Oamishirasato, Chiba Prefecture, on the afternoon of August 14. (\u00a9Sankei\/Masahiro Sakai)<\/p>\nJapan has recently experienced severe damage from heavy rain, with roads turned into rivers, rivers overflowing their banks and passenger cars submerged in floodwaters.<\/p>\n
On August 27, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued Level 5 Emergency Warnings for Heavy Rain in parts of Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures. <\/p>\n
Just two weeks earlier, on August 13, Level 5 warnings were issued in parts of Chiba Prefecture. It was the first time the highest-level warning had been issued in the region.<\/p>\n
A flooded area in front of a convenience store, with a submerged passenger car, in Oamishirasato, Chiba Prefecture, on the afternoon of August 14. (\u00a9Sankei\/Masahiro Sakai)<\/p>\n
What Level 5 Means<\/p>\n
At Level 4, when the risk of a life-threatening disaster is very high, people are urged to evacuate immediately. Level 5 is the highest alert and is issued when a disaster has already occurred or is imminent.<\/p>\n
By this stage, however, it may already be too dangerous to evacuate safely. People are instead urged to take the “best possible action” to protect their lives by moving to the safest location available.<\/p>\n
This may mean moving to a higher floor, such as the second floor or above. In homes at risk of landslides, residents should move to rooms as far away from slopes as possible.<\/p>\n
People should not attempt to evacuate by car, as vehicles can become stranded on flooded roads. They should also never go outside to check rivers or irrigation channels, as rapidly rising water poses a direct threat to life.<\/p>\n
During the Chiba floods, several people died after becoming trapped in vehicles, while others were found on flooded roads.<\/p>\n
If evacuation is still necessary, people should wait until the rain has eased and floodwaters have receded before moving to an evacuation center or another location, and then proceed with caution.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/4HP376TXJZI5ZN4LPCQIQVQ7Y4-1024x683.webp\")
A vehicle stranded in a flooded area of Oamishirasato, Chiba Prefecture, at 1:21 PM on August 14.<\/p>\n
Typhoon Season Ahead<\/p>\n
September is also a month when typhoons are more likely to form, approach Japan and make landfall.<\/p>\n
Residents should use periods of normal weather to prepare for heavy rain and landslides and make sure they know how to respond when warnings are issued.<\/p>\n
In the Hokuriku region, recovery efforts are underway amid extreme heat. Significant support, including from volunteers, will be needed, with careful attention to preventing heatstroke.<\/p>\n
As seen following the Kumamoto earthquake and the Chiba floods, recovery will require the efforts of people and organizations across many sectors.<\/p>\n