Record rainfall floods Nagoya, Japan orders evacuation of 2 million

September 9, 2026 at 11:55 AM2 min

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Record rainfall of 104.5 mm per hour hit Nagoya, Japan on September 8, prompting evacuation orders for 2 million residents. Flooding submerged roads and halted trains, buses, and subways during rush hour. Japan's meteorological agency issued a level-5 flood warning for the Shonai River.

Key Facts

Nagoya recorded 104.5 mm of rain in one hour on September 8, surpassing the previous national record of 97 mm set in Tokai on September 11, 2000.
Authorities ordered the evacuation of 2 million residents in Nagoya.
Japan's meteorological agency issued a level-5 flood warning for the Shonai River.
Two of 15 underground passages managed by the prefectural government were flooded.
Expected 24-hour rainfall by 6 p.m. on September 9 could reach 200 mm in some areas.

Record Rainfall

The Nagoya meteorological observatory recorded 104.5 mm of rain in one hour between 3:53 p.m. and 4:53 p.m. local time on September 8. The previous record of 97 mm was set in Tokai on September 11, 2000. Heavy rain continued for a second day over Aichi Prefecture. The meteorological observatory expects up to 200 mm of rain in 24 hours by 6 p.m. on September 9, with an additional 80 mm by 6 p.m. on September 10.

Evacuation and Transport Disruption

Nagoya authorities ordered the evacuation of 2 million residents. In the Sakae district, roads were flooded and water reached knee height. Train, bus, and subway services were suspended during rush hour, including JR, Meitetsu, and Nagoya Municipal Subway. Temporary shelters were set up near Nagoya Station and other locations for people unable to return home.

Flood Warnings and Damage

Japan's meteorological agency issued a level-5 special flood warning for the Shonai River. The Chubu Regional Development Bureau reported that two of 15 underground passages managed by the prefectural government were flooded. No casualties have been reported so far.