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In July 2007, Super Typhoon Man-Yi (May-Li) hit the Japanese island of Okinawa, causing wind damage and flooding. The Okinawan American Animal Rescue Society's (OAARS) shelter and facilities were among those buildings damaged by the storm. Luckily, the shelter's animals were evacuated ahead of the storm and were not injured.
Humane Society International (HSI) sent emergency funds to help fund the repair of the facilities as OAARS supporters and volunteers began to rebuild.
August 22, 2007
In Okinawa, Animal Shelter Suffers a Blow from Typhoon Man-Yi
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| OAARS |
| Super Typhoon Man-Yi severely damaged OAARS' facilities. |
Super Typhoon Man-Yi (May-Li) carried devastation to the Japanese island of Okinawa in mid-July, packing winds up to 145 miles per hour.
Destruction and flooding were widespread as the storm (equal to a strong category 4 or category 5 hurricane in the United States) dumped almost 15 inches of rain on southern Japan and Okinawa.
The Okinawan American Animal Rescue Society's (OAARS) shelter and facilities were severely damaged in the storm. Strong winds overturned their trailers and ripped the roof from their shelter structure.
Humane Society International (HSI) sent emergency funds to OAARS to assist in the repair of their facilities. OAARS supporters and volunteers are currently working on rebuilding.
"Typhoon Man-Yi hit the OAARS shelter hard in the early hours of Friday the 13th—our unluckiest day since the shelter opened," says Liz Rouse President and Founder of OAARS. "One of our prefabs was turned upside down, the other one was pushed right in front of the shelter gate. The roofing is totally damaged."
Shelter animals were evacuated ahead of the storm into volunteers' homes. OAARS has also taken on more animals in the wake of the typhoon, including a little brown tabby kitten named Sakura. Sakura was found wandering a parking lot after the storm, scared and sick with a severe eye infection. Under OAARS' care, she is now healthy and looking for a permanent home.
Typhoon season in the Pacific peaks in September, and Okinawa is frequently a target for the storms.
Updated Feb. 2, 2009.
