TCCOR typhoon awareness
Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness aka TCCOR.
Here on Okinawa the U.S. Military uses TCCOR as an alert system that helps communicate with everybody the dangers that are either soon to follow, or when conditions are too dangerous to be outside. It's all about safety and it's better to be safe than sorry. A typhoon packs much more than just high wind, people should expect to see storm surges, flooding, and landslides. Okinawa is very tough when it comes to typhoons, as most houses and buildings are built with concrete. However the possibility of outages and damages to property are pretty high when a strong typhoon comes around. Everybody has to work as a team and prepare their belongings to minimize potential dangers.
From June 1st to November 30th TCCOR 4 will be continuously used as there is an increased chance of a tropical cyclone forming within 72 hours of reaching Okinawa.
-TCCOR 4: Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are possible within 72 hours.
-TCCOR 3: Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are possible within 48 hours.
-TCCOR 2: Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are anticipated within 24 hours.
-TCCOR 1: Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are anticipated within 12 hours.
No school for DoDDS students. Staff and teachers will work normal hours, unless changed by DoDDS superintendent.
-TCCOR 1 Caution: Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are anticipated within 12 hours.
All nonessential personnel will be released to their quarters at this time. DoDDS schools will close at this time. Staff and teachers return home or remain home. Base exchange, shops, Commissary, Shoppettes, Gas Station, Services facilities, Clubs, Restaurants, Recreational Facilities and Post Office will close.
-TCCOR 1 Emergency: Actual winds of 50 knots or greater.
All outside activity is prohibited.
-TCCOR 1 Recovery: Destructive winds of 50 knots are no longer occurring. Actual winds are 34-49 knots.
Nonessential functions remain closed unless directed by the commander. All but emergency essential personnel remain in their quarters.
-Storm Watch: The winds are not forecast to exceed 50 knots sustained but still exists a probability of high winds due to the proximity of the storm. High winds may include gusts exceeding 50 knots and/or sustained winds meeting TCCOR 1 Caution criteria.
All military and civilian personnel will return to work within 2 hours or at normal duty hours unless otherwise instructed by their commander. The Commissary and BX will resume operations, unless directed otherwise by the installation commander.
--All Clear: Hazardous conditions and winds are no longer present.
Return to normal duties. DoDDS teachers, staff and students will return to school during normal hours.
The Kadena AB Weather website is a great place to keep an eye on the updated TCCOR readings.
If your unsure of what to pack before a typhoon hits, the American Red Cross Okinawa has a great list to check out.
*Reference* Current Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness, Available at:http://weather.kadenaforcesupport.com/update/tccor.htm (Accessed: 2014).
Here on Okinawa the U.S. Military uses TCCOR as an alert system that helps communicate with everybody the dangers that are either soon to follow, or when conditions are too dangerous to be outside. It's all about safety and it's better to be safe than sorry. A typhoon packs much more than just high wind, people should expect to see storm surges, flooding, and landslides. Okinawa is very tough when it comes to typhoons, as most houses and buildings are built with concrete. However the possibility of outages and damages to property are pretty high when a strong typhoon comes around. Everybody has to work as a team and prepare their belongings to minimize potential dangers.
From June 1st to November 30th TCCOR 4 will be continuously used as there is an increased chance of a tropical cyclone forming within 72 hours of reaching Okinawa.
-TCCOR 4: Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are possible within 72 hours.
-TCCOR 3: Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are possible within 48 hours.
-TCCOR 2: Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are anticipated within 24 hours.
-TCCOR 1: Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are anticipated within 12 hours.
No school for DoDDS students. Staff and teachers will work normal hours, unless changed by DoDDS superintendent.
-TCCOR 1 Caution: Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are anticipated within 12 hours.
All nonessential personnel will be released to their quarters at this time. DoDDS schools will close at this time. Staff and teachers return home or remain home. Base exchange, shops, Commissary, Shoppettes, Gas Station, Services facilities, Clubs, Restaurants, Recreational Facilities and Post Office will close.
-TCCOR 1 Emergency: Actual winds of 50 knots or greater.
All outside activity is prohibited.
-TCCOR 1 Recovery: Destructive winds of 50 knots are no longer occurring. Actual winds are 34-49 knots.
Nonessential functions remain closed unless directed by the commander. All but emergency essential personnel remain in their quarters.
-Storm Watch: The winds are not forecast to exceed 50 knots sustained but still exists a probability of high winds due to the proximity of the storm. High winds may include gusts exceeding 50 knots and/or sustained winds meeting TCCOR 1 Caution criteria.
All military and civilian personnel will return to work within 2 hours or at normal duty hours unless otherwise instructed by their commander. The Commissary and BX will resume operations, unless directed otherwise by the installation commander.
--All Clear: Hazardous conditions and winds are no longer present.
Return to normal duties. DoDDS teachers, staff and students will return to school during normal hours.
The Kadena AB Weather website is a great place to keep an eye on the updated TCCOR readings.
If your unsure of what to pack before a typhoon hits, the American Red Cross Okinawa has a great list to check out.
*Reference* Current Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness, Available at:http://weather.kadenaforcesupport.com/update/tccor.htm (Accessed: 2014).