Preparing for Life Before a Tropical Depression Becomes a Typhoon

At the tropical depression stage, it might seem like the winds are mild, making it easy to postpone preparations. However, moving items outside, checking drainage systems, and relocating vehicles to higher ground become increasingly dangerous the more the rain and wind intensify. Especially in the case of heavy rain at night, issues like power outages, flooding, and loss of communication among family members can occur simultaneously, making even everyday actions difficult.

This list organizes ten preparations that can be completed at home in order of risk. Rather than focusing on purchasing lots of supplies, it emphasizes identifying vulnerabilities in the home, setting movement rules with family members, and prioritizing the protection of the elderly and pets. Each item includes what to check, actions to take, and behaviors to avoid during the preparation process, making it easy to use as a checklist.

The purpose of disaster preparedness is not to perfectly safeguard the home, but to leave options for people to escape safely during dangerous moments. Moving vehicles or belongings should only be done before flooding begins; once the flooding starts, evacuation should be prioritized over property. Plans that work must take into account the vulnerabilities and mobility of family members, as well as whether pets are included.

Don't try to complete all preparations at once; instead, break it down into basic checks when there’s news of a tropical depression, preparations for items and movement when the potential impact increases, and evacuation decisions before warnings are activated. Repeatedly check weather information and safety guidance, and monitor vulnerable neighboring households for a greater capacity to respond. Avoid conducting outdoor checks after it starts to rain.