Nearly 5,000 travelers have been evacuated from Japan's Kansai International Airport, near Osaka, which will be closed for up to a week due to damage from Typhoon Jebi, reports the BBC. Japan's most powerful storm in 25 years, winds up to 129 mph have killed at least 11 people, injured more than 400, and left a trail of destruction across the country, ripping off roofs, flipping over cars, tearing off scaffolding, and cutting electricity to 400,000 homes.
Here's the latest.
What's the scene at the airport now?
Some 8,000 people were originally stranded at Japan's third-largest airport, built on a manmade island in Osaka Bay. As of Wednesday night local time, 4,600 people had been evacuated, reports Kyodo News. Rescue efforts will continue into Thursday, but have been complicated by the fact that the bridge providing the only road and rail access to the airport from the mainland was badly damaged in the storm. Rescuers are moving passengers by high-speed boats across Kyoto Bay, and in buses via the undamaged part of the bridge.
What about flights to/from Japan?
On Tuesday, Nippon Airways (ANA) canceled more than 300 domestic and international flights, and Japan Airlines canceled more than 270 flights; some 57,000 passengers were affected, reports the Japan Times. The cancellations continued on Wednesday, and all flights out of Kansai have been canceled for Thursday, according to the airport's website. Tokyo's Narita and Haneda airports remain open and operating as usual, but as always, check with your airline before heading to the airport.
What about other forms of transportation in and around Osaka?
Shinkansen (bullet) trains to and from Tokyo to the area—specifically, the Tokaido Shinkansen and Sanyo Shinkansen lines—have been halted, reports the Japan Times. Train services are expected to resume on Thursday.
Where is Jebi at the moment?
Moving northwards in the Sea of Japan, toward Russia, at about 46 mph. Winds have calmed but will still be moving at around 40 mph across much of Japan through Wednesday night. You can track its progress via the Japan Meteorological Agency here.
Are there any travel warnings?
On Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Japan issued a statement, warning travelers and residents to "expect extremely high winds, dangerous storm tides, heavy rainfall, and possible flooding." U.S. citizens living in or traveling to the area are being asked by officials to "monitor local weather reports, follow directions from local officials, and take other appropriate actions as needed," the brief reads.
Bottom line: Is it safe to travel to Japan?
Yes. Though Jebi has devastated parts of the country, Japan remains incredibly safe to visit. It's worth noting that the country's typhoon season runs from June to December, with most storms occurring between July and September. Japan's southern islands, like Okinawa, are typically hit the hardest.
This is a developing story. Please continue to check back for more updates.