Typhoon Shanshan Devastates South-West Japan

Sunday evening 9/17 -- We've been under a typhoon watch all day here in Iwakuni. We're relatively safe from the highest winds here, because we're surrounded by large islands, and the typhoon will slow before it gets to us, but we are still in it's path. We're watching the Japanese news and it looks very bad. Typhoon Shanshan came on shore at Sasabo about an hour ago with winds of 140, gusting to about 200 kph (86-124 mph). There have been deaths, injuries, and great devastation on Kyushu Island to our south & west, due to flooding, landslides and wind damage. It looks like there's a lot of damage in Sasabo, Nagasaki & Fukuoka, all beautiful places where we have visited. A train was blown off its track with injuries. Train, ferry, and airline travel has been suspended. In our area, rising tides & storm surges are anticipated & the Nishiki River has already crested above its banks. We'll update you when we can.