Typhoon 18 is expected to make direct landfall on Okinawa Island late tonight, Aug. 25, 2026 [1].
The storm threatens the region with storm-force winds and torrential rain that could lead to widespread flooding and landslides. Because the system is forecast to slow down as it moves westward, residents face a prolonged duration of hazardous conditions.
FNN said the very strong typhoon may strike the main island of Okinawa late tonight, requiring strict vigilance against warning-level storms and heavy rain [1]. The slow movement of the system increases the risk of high waves and structural damage across the archipelago.
Weather officials have issued severe warnings regarding wind speeds. Tenki.jp editorial staff said the maximum instantaneous wind speed is forecast to reach 60 m/s in Okinawa and Amami [2]. This level of intensity is described as fierce wind capable of causing some houses to collapse [2].
Rainfall totals are expected to be significant over the next 24 hours. Forecasters predict 170 mm of rain for Okinawa and 250 mm for Amami by the morning of Aug. 26 [2]. These totals increase the likelihood of flash flooding and soil instability in mountainous areas.
Local authorities are monitoring the Daitō Islands region and the Amami Islands as the storm progresses. The combination of slow forward speed and high wind velocity creates a high-risk environment for coastal infrastructure and residential housing [1, 2].
“Maximum instantaneous wind speed is forecast to reach 60 m/s in Okinawa and Amami.”
The slowing pace of Typhoon 18 is a critical factor for disaster management. When a storm decelerates over a landmass, it deposits more precipitation in a concentrated area and subjects infrastructure to prolonged wind stress, which significantly increases the probability of structural failure and catastrophic flooding compared to fast-moving systems.
