Journal of Natural Disaster Science

Estimation of Wind Disasters Caused by Typhoons Striking the Main Islands of Japan

Masahiro OKUDA, Toichiro GOKAN, Yasushi MITSUTA,
Kansai Regional Head Office, Japan Weather Association
Takeshi FUJII
General Education and Research Center, Kyoto Sangyo University
and
Taiichi HAYASHI
Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University

(Received for 28 Jan., 2000 and in revised form 11 Sep., 2000)

Abstract

A typhoon wind disaster prediction model was used to investigate three typhoons: T9719 (Oliwa), T9807 (Vicki), and T9810 (Zeb) that struck the main islands of Japan, and the surface wind and the rate of damaged wooden houses were estimated. The estimated distribution of the surface wind approximately agreed with that of the observed surface wind, and the damage rate distribution agreed with that of the actual damage incurred. Two main problems remain; underestimation of the strong wind to the rear of the center in Typhoon 9807 and the accuracy of the estimated damage rates.

Analysis of the strong winds of Typhoon 9807 showed that a phenomenon similar to a cold front had occurred in the rear area of this typhoon.

Key words

typhoon, main Japanese islands, pressure analysis, basic surface wind, wind disaster