静岡しずおか国内こくない最大さいだい規模きぼと推定すいていの竜巻たつまき 発生はっせいから1週間いっしゅうかん 生活せいかつ再建さいけんが課題かだい

It has been one week since a tornado, believed to be one of the largest ever recorded in Japan, struck Shizuoka Prefecture.

The number of houses damaged, including those affected by flooding caused by the typhoon, has exceeded 1,900, and recovery is expected to take time. Helping disaster victims rebuild their lives has become a major challenge.

On the 5th of this month, a series of gusty winds occurred in Shizuoka Prefecture due to the approach of Typhoon No. 15. The meteorological observatory estimates that the tornado confirmed from Makinohara City to Yoshida Town was one of the largest ever recorded in Japan. In addition, it is highly likely that tornadoes also occurred in Kakegawa City, Yaizu City, Ito City, and Kikugawa City.

As of 2:00 p.m. on the 11th, according to the summary from Shizuoka Prefecture, there has been 1 death in Yoshida Town; 8 people have been seriously injured—4 each in Makinohara City and Yoshida Town; and 75 people have sustained minor injuries—64 in Makinohara City, 7 in Yoshida Town, 2 in Yaizu City, and 1 each in Ito City and Hamamatsu City.

The number of houses damaged, including flood damage caused by the typhoon, has reached a total of 1,948. In particular, in Makinohara City, where the damage is especially severe, there has been 1 house completely destroyed, 149 houses partially destroyed, and 960 houses partially damaged, among others.

Although the power outage has been resolved, some homes in Makinohara City are still unable to use electricity because their service lines have been cut or damaged.

As rain and heat are expected to continue, it is anticipated that the restoration of many homes will take time, making the rebuilding of victims lives a major challenge.

In one of the houses in Makinohara City, the tornado caused damage such as walls being torn off and window glass being shattered, and even now, shards of glass are scattered inside the house.

The woman in her 40s who lives in this house continues tidying up her home during the day while living in an evacuation shelter.

The woman said, I cant even put it into words anymore.

My body is at its limit, but I have no choice but to keep cleaning up.

I dont have anywhere to stay while living as an evacuee, so I want a place to live as soon as possible, even if its just one day sooner, they said.

The city announced on the 12th that, since residents have been forced to live in evacuation shelters or sleep in their cars, it plans to secure so-called temporary housing arrangements, in which the government will cover rent and other costs for people whose homes have been damaged when they rent private apartments.

The apartment in Hosoe, Makinohara City, where a man in his 70s lives, suffered damage such as broken windows due to the tornado, and electricity and water are still unavailable.

For this reason, the men have been unable to take a bath or cook meals.

Also, because the air conditioner couldnt be used in the severe heat, it is reported that a few days ago there were symptoms suspected to be heatstroke, such as trembling hands and swollen feet.

The man said, I cant watch TV and I dont have a smartphone, so I dont know about support like soup kitchens and Im having trouble.

I just want things to go back to where we can use water and electricity as soon as possible, they said.

The consultation meeting is being held at the Makinohara City General Health and Welfare Center, where specialists such as lawyers, architects, and tax accountants are available to provide consultations.

Visitors were asking questions like, I want to know what procedures to follow after submitting the disaster victim certificate, or My parents were affected by the disaster—what kind of support is available?

Lawyer Kai Nagano, who is providing consultations, says, Its okay if you dont know what you want to talk about, so please feel free to come for a consultation.

I want to help rebuild the area as soon as possible and ease the residents anxiety, even if just a little, they said.

This consultation session will be held for the time being and is available free of charge from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.