The Kansai region of Japan was battered yesterday by “Jebi”, a.k.a. Typhoon 21, which meteorologists called the fiercest storm to hit land in 25 years. Several news sources report massive power outages due to the collapse of 369 utility poles.
As we are wont to do in this era of Twitter and Instagram, users and news orgs took to social media to share some amazing footage of the storm and its resulting devastation. One video making the rounds is the following compilation that begins with a truck rolling over in the wind. Other segments show portions of bus station ceilings falling towards passengers, and roofs blowing off of building-tops.
バズリズム on X (formerly Twitter): “台風21号の強さがよく分かる映像集。ほんまに関西ヤバかった。全国の人たちに知ってほしい。1人でも多くの人に届くようにRTお願いします。#台風21号 https://t.co/V1csmNpT5q / X”
台風21号の強さがよく分かる映像集。ほんまに関西ヤバかった。全国の人たちに知ってほしい。1人でも多くの人に届くようにRTお願いします。#台風21号 https://t.co/V1csmNpT5q
News 7 caught this footage in Nishiyodokawa Ward in Osaka of a building’s roof tearing off in the high wind:
NHK生活・防災 on X (formerly Twitter): “【各地で深刻な台風被害】台風21号による暴風が吹き荒れ、車や屋根が風で飛ぶなど大阪被害や関西空港の関空連絡橋の被害、関電の大規模な停電など、各地で深刻な被害が出ています #台風21号 pic.twitter.com/HaL0ktINUg / X”
【各地で深刻な台風被害】台風21号による暴風が吹き荒れ、車や屋根が風で飛ぶなど大阪被害や関西空港の関空連絡橋の被害、関電の大規模な停電など、各地で深刻な被害が出ています #台風21号 pic.twitter.com/HaL0ktINUg
Twitter user @TomoTeikoku took this video of a dumpster rolling down the street like it had someplace to be, and decided to set it to appropriate background music:
風に流され道路を爆走するゴミ箱に例のBGMを当ててみた Vol.2#台風21号 #頭文字D pic.twitter.com/Z6k07IQleF— ともむら 初秋イベ準備@ブイン基地 (@TomoTeitoku) 2018年9月5日
Meanwhile, user TensaiDesukara (天才ですから) had to deal with a completely different dimension of the storm when it washed up an alligator to his house. The poster remarks: “It’s a terrible sight, but I left it alone.” Wise call.
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天才ですから on X (formerly Twitter): “昨日、#台風21号 で水位の上がった#安威川 がどうなっているか見に行ったら、すごい魚がうちあがっていた。#特定外来種 の #アリゲーターガー でしょうかね。10時頃で水が引いてかなり時間がたっているはずなんだが、まだ生きてます。残酷でしたが、日本にいる魚ではないので放置しました。 pic.twitter.com/fKoUozfkv0 / X”
昨日、#台風21号 で水位の上がった#安威川 がどうなっているか見に行ったら、すごい魚がうちあがっていた。#特定外来種 の #アリゲーターガー でしょうかね。10時頃で水が引いてかなり時間がたっているはずなんだが、まだ生きてます。残酷でしたが、日本にいる魚ではないので放置しました。 pic.twitter.com/fKoUozfkv0
Instagram posters put up some heart-rending pictures of the storm aftermath. ankinari_japan took this pic near his home in Osaka showing some of the devastation the storm brought to the electric grid:
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Photographer nekonekonyanneko was heading off on a work trip when he came across a restaurant he’d fancied. Its roof had completely collapsed, taking out the store and burying the owner’s truck along with it.
User t.kawase received this cell phone photo from a friend who caught site of an absolutely devastated street in Osaka.
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Finally, even Japan’s vaunted 自販機 (jihanki; vending machines) fell victim to the hellish winds. Twitter user rrooppamerican, noting that only the machine from the company Itouen remained standing out of the three pictured, posted this with the comment, “And the winner, Itouen.”
. on X (formerly Twitter): “伊藤園の優勝#台風21号 pic.twitter.com/ioJKz0F9G5 / X”
伊藤園の優勝#台風21号 pic.twitter.com/ioJKz0F9G5