Little bit of excitement looms as the warning has gone out for an anticipated typhoon this weekend, in our region. When asking one or two people, we understood it was going to be a little more windy. We didn't think much about this, cos we would welcome a breeze in this stincking heat! I then hoped onto good old google and found out a little more about this wind. Well, perhaps wind is the only term the Japanese know to explain this natural disaster. I would like to share a better word with them, that is not so much wind but rather hurricane or cyclone. Two words which have a much more familiar awareness in the mind of a south african. Typhoon, cyclone & hurricane are all the same weather phynonenon, the only difference being the location the storm occurs.

WARNING AS FOLLOWS, IS OUT:

When a typhoon is approaching:

・Look around the outside of your house for things which be blown away by the wind, and either fasten them down or bring them into your house. Ro, can only think of your sock contraption on the airconditioner upstairs? hee hee

・Move household goods to a safe place in case of flooding.

・Make sure to set aside several days' worth of food and water...tick. Done.

・Prepare for the possibility of evacuation by packing some clothes and important personal possessions in a bag.

・Have a battery-operated flashlight and radio (we won't need) ready in case of power failure.

・Pay attention to weather reports on the TV or radio. (Though we dont understand the pace at which the Japanese talk/rattle)

After the typhoon:

・Check your house inside and out for damage.

・Clean and disinfect any part of your house that was flooded.