Prepping for the big one.

Two different storm systems had been forming earlier in the week and at the time, neither appeared as if it would get too close to our cozy little island. Update after update had Typhoon Bolaven edging closer and closer to the south of our island. In the beginning, it was supposed to be roughly 150 miles south of Okinawa. Then 116. Then closer, closer, closer...until now, when it is expected to be six miles away at its closest point.

Typhoon Bolaven, right. The smaller typhoon toward the top left is Tembin. Photo courtesy of Commander Fleet Okinawa's Facebook page.

It has been said by locals that this is will likely be the worst storm to hit the island in the past thirteen years. THIRTEEN. Whoa! Our last bad typhoon was last August, which resulted in a power cord that led to our house being cut / damaged and us being out of power for 5 days. Here's to hoping that it will not turn out that way this time. Losing power may happen, which is fine - but cut power lines are not cool.

So how does one prep for a typhoon? The same way you would prepare for a hurricane, I suppose, but hurricanes are foreign territory to me. There are no hurricanes where we are from, only snow storms. The first thing you usually want to do is make sure you have enough food, water, and batteries. We have plenty of water, some food, and some batteries.

Notice how I said "some" food -- this means commissary shopping. Due to our Honda being in the shop for its JCI inspection (which is a whole different blog post - oh boy), I am currently carless right now. The air base is within walking distance but yesterday a photo was posted and the line had wrapped back by the meat section. For those of you who are familiar with Kadena, that is a crazy long line. At one point, one lady said that when she was there, it was back by the produce -- which is nearly the whole perimeter of the store.

Thankfully, off base grocery stores exist. Have I been to one? No. What better time to adventure out though, right? It is a beautiful day today, no rain yet -- the proverbial "calm before the storm". I'm trying to decide if I want to head out now, while Evelyn is still awake, or wait until after her nap.

After food, batteries, and whatnot are all bought and accounted for, then comes the outdoor prep. Everything needs to be tied down, or taken in. Our surfboard that is resting lazily against the house? That could become a weapon of mass destruction if sustained winds of 140MPH (with gusts up to 170MPH) pick that puppy up. The surfboard will be brought in, the bike and dog kennel will be tied up. Our big steel garbage cans will be tied up. You get the picture.

All of this can seem very scary for a newcomer to the island, or to relatives and friends back in the States. It is scary - Mother Nature is powerful but we will be okay. We live in concrete houses that were built for storms of this kind, and as long as we don't leave the house, the four of us (Toby included) will be a-okay.

If our house loses power, I won't be able to make an update. If we keep power, however, I'll update throughout the weekend. We were supposed to have my friend Amber's baby shower tomorrow but we have postponed it. I was also supposed to participate in a triathlon relay (I was the cyclist) on Sunday but that has also been postponed.

Keep your thoughts and prayers with the homeless population (both humans and animals) of Okinawa during this yucky storm. At the beginning of next week, Typhoon Tembin is also supposed to make an appearance. It may be a long couple of days. Good thing we have plenty of books to read, right?