Full Breakdown
Record Rainfall Triggers Highest-Level Heavy-Rain Warning in Fukui Prefecture
8/31/2026, 2:58:44 AM
Record Rainfall and Emergency Warning
On August 30, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a Level 5 special heavy-rain warning—the agency’s highest alert—for Fukui City, Ono and Katsuyama in Fukui Prefecture. The warning indicated that a disaster was either imminent or already occurring. The JMA later reduced the alert to Level 4 but maintained the evacuation recommendation. The warning followed a stationary front over the Hokuriku region that produced record rainfall: 376.5 mm in Katsuyama, 343.5 mm in Miyama (Fukui City) and 341 mm in Harue (Sakai) from the night of August 28 through the afternoon of August 30.
Extent of Flooding and Impacts
The unprecedented precipitation caused 19 rivers to overflow across the prefecture, flooding roads, homes and low-lying infrastructure. National Route 8 in Fukui City was submerged, with trucks and other vehicles fully underwater. Floodwaters also inundated an intersection in Katsuyama and rendered Fukui Airport unusable. Authorities reported two injuries, including a woman in her 30s in Sakai who fell into a hidden drainage ditch and suffered a broken leg. Approximately 400,000 residents were urged to take emergency safety measures, and landslide alerts remained in effect for the Reihoku region through the night of August 30.
Official Responses
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) considered releasing water from a dam in Sakai to increase reservoir capacity as river levels rose. Local officials ordered evacuations and kept residents on high alert for additional landslides. The JMA forecast continued heavy rain across north-eastern Japan through August 31, noting that atmospheric conditions remained unstable.
Outlook and Ongoing Alerts
While the heaviest rain has passed, the JMA’s forecast for further precipitation through August 31 sustains the risk of additional flooding and landslides. Residents in the affected municipalities are advised to remain prepared for possible emergency orders and to monitor updates from the JMA and local authorities.
