Local governments turn to private garages for flood-time vehicle storage
Facilities opened without charge during September’s Typhoon Dujuan, but safe locations and evacuation arrangements remain challenges.
More local governments are reaching agreements with businesses to let residents store vehicles in multistory garages and other facilities during heavy rainfall, as torrential rain and floods become more frequent.
Many participating facilities waived charges when Typhoon Dujuan brought heavy rain in September. One shopping complex offering its garage for vehicle storage during heavy rain is Aeon Mall Kashiwa in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture.
The arrangements still face practical hurdles: finding facilities in locations identified as safe on municipal flood hazard maps, making residents aware of the service and ensuring drivers can safely evacuate once they have parked.
