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Typhoon preparation in Japan: alerts, evacuation and insurance

Typhoon preparation in Japan: the five-level heavy-rain alerts from 2026, when to evacuate, what to prepare, and whether fire insurance covers damage.

By JapanHow editors Updated 4 min read

Alert levels
5 (new system from 2026)
Level 3
Slow movers evacuate
Level 4
All residents evacuate
Flood cover
Depends on your policy
Short answer

Typhoon preparation in Japan, as of October 2026: learn the five alert levels JMA has used since 2026 for heavy rain, flood, landslide and storm surge. At Level 3, people who need more time to evacuate should leave. At Level 4, everyone in a dangerous area should evacuate, and you should be out by the time it is issued. Before a typhoon, stay indoors, close shutters, charge your phone and stock water and food. Fire insurance may cover wind damage, but flood cover depends on your policy.

For typhoon preparation in Japan, as of October 2026, know the five alert levels the Japan Meteorological Agency (気象庁, JMA) now uses for heavy rain, flood, landslide and storm surge. At Level 3, people who need more time to evacuate should leave. At Level 4, all residents should evacuate from dangerous areas, and you should be out by the time it is issued. Fire insurance may cover wind damage; flood cover depends on your policy.

What do the alert levels mean?

JMA says it reorganized its warnings by disaster type into five Alert Levels in 2026. Inagi City gives the start date as 29 May 2026. The levels apply to heavy rain, flood, landslide and storm surge.

Level JMA name What you should do
5 Emergency Warning Take all measures possible to protect yourself. Inagi City adds that a disaster has occurred or is very likely.
4 Urgent Warning All residents should evacuate from dangerous areas, finishing by the time it is issued at the latest.
3 Warning Elderly people, people with disabilities and others who need more time to evacuate should evacuate from dangerous areas. Inagi City adds that others should be ready to evacuate at any time.
2 Advisory Inagi City: the possibility of a disaster is emerging, so start preparing, such as checking hazard maps.

Level 1 is an early notice of changing weather, according to Inagi City. Some city pages call Level 4 a “Danger Warning”. Go by the number.

Storm and high-wave warnings are separate. JMA keeps its Storm and High Waves warnings outside the five-level scale.

Your city also issues evacuation information. In Kanagawa’s guide, “Alert Level 4 (Evacuation Instruction)” means go to a designated evacuation site. Inagi City warns that city evacuation information is not always issued at the same time as the matching weather level. Hikone City says Level 5 is not always issued, so don’t wait for it.

How do I get alerts in my language?

Install Safety Tips, the Japan Tourism Agency’s app, which pushes earthquake, tsunami and weather warnings in 15 languages. Kanagawa also runs an English disaster information page, and other prefectures and cities have their own. For the app and what to stock, see our earthquake preparedness guide. Check your hazard map now, not during the storm.

What do I do before, during and after a typhoon?

Typhoon checklist
  1. You Before: get ready Stay indoors, close all windows and shutters, charge your phone, and stock drinking water and emergency food.
  2. You Before: check services Trains may stop and schools may close early. Check suspensions and closures.
  3. You, city During: watch the level At Level 3 people who need more time leave. At Level 4 go to a designated evacuation site.
  4. You After: stay clear Stay away from flooded areas and downed power lines.

Anyone can use an evacuation shelter, as one city’s English guide puts it, with no nationality condition: see where to evacuate and whether foreigners can use shelters. In an emergency call 119 or 110: emergency numbers in Japan.

Does insurance cover typhoon damage?

The General Insurance Association of Japan (日本損害保険協会) says:

  • Wind damage (風災) from typhoons and storms is covered by fire insurance (すまいの保険) when the loss reaches a set amount. Some products pay below it.
  • Flood damage (水災) depends on the product. Some pay when the loss reaches a percentage of the home’s value, or when the home is flooded above floor level (床上浸水). Confirm the exact condition with your insurer.
  • Buildings and household contents (家財) are insured under separate contracts. As a tenant, check whether your renters’ policy covers contents: see renters’ fire insurance in Japan.
  • Earthquake, eruption and tsunami damage needs earthquake insurance (地震保険): see earthquake insurance for foreigners.
  • Car damage from typhoons, storm surge or flood can be covered by 車両保険, depending on the contract.

This page is general information, not insurance or safety advice for your situation. Follow instructions from your city.

Questions people ask

What do the typhoon alert levels mean in Japan?

Level 2 is an Advisory. Level 3 (Warning): elderly people, people with disabilities and others who need more time should evacuate. Level 4 (Urgent Warning): all residents should evacuate from dangerous areas, finishing by the time it is issued. Level 5 (Emergency Warning): take all steps necessary to protect life.

When should I evacuate in a typhoon?

At Level 4 at the latest. Hikone City says Level 5 is not always issued, so don't wait for it. Your city may also issue its own evacuation information, which is not always issued at the same time as the matching weather level.

Does fire insurance cover typhoon damage in Japan?

Wind damage from typhoons is covered by fire insurance when the loss reaches a set amount, says the General Insurance Association. Flood damage depends on the product: some pay at a percentage of the home's value or for above-floor flooding. Earthquake and tsunami need earthquake insurance. Check your policy.

Can foreigners use evacuation shelters in Japan?

Yes. One city's English guide says anyone can use a shelter with no nationality condition: see our earthquake guide for details. Find your nearest site on your city's hazard map before the typhoon.

Sources

  1. Emergency Warnings, Warnings and Advisories, Japan Meteorological Agency (気象庁) (accessed Oct 29, 2026)
  2. New Disaster Prevention Weather Information, Inagi City, Tokyo (稲城市) (accessed Oct 29, 2026)
  3. Alert levels, Hikone City (彦根市) (accessed Oct 29, 2026)
  4. Disaster and safety (Typhoon), Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県) (accessed Oct 29, 2026)
  5. 風水雪災等による損害を補償する損害保険, General Insurance Association of Japan (日本損害保険協会) (accessed Oct 29, 2026)
  6. 大雨で床上浸水に！保険で補償されるの？, General Insurance Association of Japan (日本損害保険協会) (accessed Oct 29, 2026)
  7. 令和8年台風第24号及び前線による大雨に伴う災害により被害を受けられた皆様へ, General Insurance Association of Japan (日本損害保険協会) (accessed Oct 29, 2026)
  8. Disaster prevention guide (English), Hamura City and Fussa City (羽村市・福生市) (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
  9. Safety tips (app page), Japan National Tourism Organization / Japan Tourism Agency (観光庁) (accessed Oct 24, 2026)

Spotted something out of date or wrong? Email [email protected] and we will check it against the source. See our corrections policy.

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