2017 Northern Kyushu Floods

Floods in Northern Kyushu

Posted on

Please pray for northern Kyushu (Saga and Fukuoka prefectures), as torrential rains have caused widespread flooding. At one point, many areas were under a Level 5 (the maximum) warning for landslides, and 870,000 people were issued evacuation instructions. That level was lifted, but it might be issued again. As of this writing, three fatalities have been reported, but of course it’s too early to know the status of many areas, so there are probably many more.

Also, the rain is expected to continue and expand northeast, so additional flood warnings are also in effect for eight prefectures of southern and central Honshu.

As of this writing, here are three recent news pages in English:

Of course the situation is likely to change rapidly.

The Kyushu Christ Disaster Relief Center (九キ災, “Kyukisai”) is preparing to mobilize in response.

Juntendo Hospital where 184 people are stranded, surrounded by oil-slicked floodwater from nearby iron works.
Japan Self-Defense Force soldiers begin rescue operations.
Oil spills from flooded tanks at an iron works on August 28, 2019 in Omachi, Saga, Japan.

Trip to Hita Base (Northern Kyushu)

Posted on

CRASH Japan sent 2 volunteers to Kyushu DRC Hita base. Today they went to Asakura city, one of the most devastated areas in Fukuoka, due to the heavy rain 3 weeks ago. They helped clean up a house of a gentleman & his daughter. Their house had been totally covered in mud. One CRASH volunteer served as a chaplain. She visited a shelter nearby and listened to several survivors’ stories listening to their traumatic stories. An old lady told of when the flood came in her home she was so afraid and just trembling in a blanket. CRASH Japan continues to send psychological and spiritual caregivers to the survivors. Please help CRASH Japan with your prayers and financial support.

Volunteering for the 2017 floods in Kyushu

Posted on

For response to the Kyushu flooding disaster that occurred in July 2017:

CRASH Japan is in cooperation with the Kyushu Christian Disaster Relief Center for sending volunteers. Those who want to volunteer in Fukuoka/Oita, please contact the Hita base of Kyushu Christian Disaster Relief Center. (Japanese language ability required.)

Kyushu Christian Disaster Relief Center has established a base in Hita City in Oita Prefecture for the current effort of disaster relief, and they are recruiting volunteers. With Pastor Takesaki of Hita Gospel Christ Church as director, they desire to support Hita, Asakura in Fukuoka, Higashi-Minemura, and other locations that were affected.

To volunteer, go to http://kyusyuchristdrc.wix.com/kumamoto or contact by phone (080-3997-3255) or email (kcdrc.hita@gmail.com).

Note: Although CRASH can support non-Japanese speakers, the Kyushu Center functions in Japanese, so strong conversational Japanese will be required for volunteers. If you cannot speak Japanese but want to help, please consider donating.

Fukuoka flood damage