Record Rainfall Causes Fatal Flooding and Disruptions in Japan's Chiba Prefecture

Record-breaking rainfall overnight into August 14, 2026, in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, has resulted in at least four deaths, one missing person, widespread flooding, and power outages. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) had issued a Level 5 Emergency Warning for heavy rain, which has since been downgraded. Evacuation orders affected hundreds of thousands of residents.