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Record-breaking heavy rains in late July caused approximately 4,000 buildings in Yamagata Prefecture to be completely or partially destroyed. Of these, more than 2,500 buildings were damaged in Sakata City, but the damage was mostly localized and the full extent of the damage could not be seen at first glance.

An aid organization operating in Sakata City reported, “Due to record-breaking heavy rains in a short period of time, the streams swelled and the washed-out earth and sand filled the waterways and flowed into surrounding houses. Flood damage caused by river bursts occurred in various places. However, Sakata City has suffered most  from the heavy influx of mud and sand. Recovery work will require manpower.'' As the damage is scattered, there is a need to assess the situation and provide support to each household, but there is an overwhelming shortage of supplies and manpower.

“We need air circulators to quickly dry the floors.”

Civic Force recently delivered 200 air circulators to Sakata City in response to a request from OPEN JAPAN, an organization that has been collaborating with the Sakata City Disaster Volunteer Center and other organizations investigating damage to houses and providing support. Air circulators are used to dry the floors and subfloors of damaged houses after removing mud.

According to OPEN JAPAN's on-site staff, “Many damaged houses require time to remove the mud and sand, and then work is done to remove the mud from beneath the floors. Therefore, the need for air circulators was acutely felt. The volunteer center had circulators and fans delivered from social welfare councils in nearby municipalities, but they did not have enough.

Perhaps because the damage is localized, the damage in Sakata City is not widely reported even within the prefecture, and there is an overwhelming shortage of volunteers. There are still many houses where the dirt has not been removed and remains inside people’s homes, but there is not enough support. If left as is, mold will grow and it will be difficult to live in the house again.