The aftermath of Typhoon Lan makes way for another Typhoon

By Todd Norman

Last week a large typhoon made landfall in Japan last week resulting in at least seven recorded deaths and one hundred injuries. The storm reached a massive size with it's gale winds reaching a diameter of 1,380 miles.

A gale is defined as sustained surface winds of 39-54 mph.  This makes Lan the second largest recorded typhoon in history, and the largest of 2017.

The deaths were caused be debris blown around and landslides from the intense storm. While the death toll is relatively few compared to other natural disasters faced this year, the flooding and power outages can cause damage to property and people's livelihoods in farms and transportation.

Japan isn't out of troubled water yet,  Tropical Storm Saola is developing into a typhoon, and it predicted to become such before it makes landfall in Japan.

While not expected to be as powerful as Typhoon Lan, Tropical Storm Saola will bring locally damaging winds, more flooding, and dangerous seas to Japan after already facing one typhoon this season.

It continues to develop through Friday and is taking a very similar course to Typhoon Lan. It could make landfall Saturday or Sunday. One thing is certain, nature doesn't take a break or become complacent, and neither should we! Keep wary, and be prepared.