Preparing for a Disaster

Regular Preparation

• Secure Furniture: Large furniture and household appliances may topple over if a major earthquake strikes. Fasten them to the wall.
• Family Disaster Prevention Meetings: Discuss evacuation routes, evacuation sites and how to contact one another in the event of a disaster such as an earthquake.
• Practice Using a Fire Extinguisher: Practice using a fire extinguisher on a regular basis so that you can extinguish flames before they become a major fire.
• Prepare an Emergency Backpack: Prepare a backpack of such items as water, food, flashlight, clothes, medicine, daily sundries, valuables (including copies of your passport, foreign resident registration card and health insurance card) in case of an emergency.

If an Earthquake Strikes

• Protect Yourself If You Feel a Tremor: If you feel an earthquake, protect your head and take shelter under a sturdy table.
• First, Extinguish All Sources of Heat: Earthquakes can lead to a major disaster if fires break out. As soon as a tremor settles down, turn off all sources of heat immediately.
• Secure an Exit: Doors can become twisted shut. Open doors and windows to secure an exit.
• Be careful of glass: If glass shatters, it can become difficult to walk around. Keep slippers handy.
• Do Not Rush Outside in a Panic: Be careful of falling billboards and glass panes, as well as block walls, vending machines and telephone poles toppling over.
• Take Action based on Accurate Information: Take action based on information from the city office, police, fire department or the radio, and not be influenced by rumors.
• Evacuate on Foot: When evacuating, check on family and neighbors and go on foot and not by car. When you do, carry the minimum of belongings and make sure you have at least one hand free.

Handling Urban Floods

Nakano City can become flooded if rivers overflow due to typhoons and storms. Even in communities that are far from rivers, there may be flooded streets and damage from water seeping into homes from what is called "urban floods" when there is concentrated rainfall in a short period exceeding the capacity of sewage facilities.
Please listen carefully to weather reports if you live in a community where such damage is anticipated.

Flood Precautions

When streets become flooded due to torrential storms, water can flow into basements and underground garages. Evacuate upstairs and prepare sandbags. Do not block drains/gutters with sandbags as this may cause flooded streets and waters seeping into other locations. Furthermore, be careful near rivers or manholes, as they can be dangerous when there is flooding.
Nakano City has prepared a "Nakano City Flood Hazard Map" (available at the Disasters & Emergency Affairs Desk) which describes anticipated water damage if a major flood strikes. Please keep this map as a reference.

• Inquiries: Planning and Coordination Desk, Civil Engineering Section
• Tel: 3228-8844