I am moving to Tokyo and had a hard time finding apartments. I live in Gifu, so I couldn’t go and leisurely look around. Plus I was on both a very tight budget and time crunch. I also have dogs.
So my point is, I was very desperate and in a rush.
I found an apartment which was very good for me. It’s on the 1st floor, which is what I want because I’ve had issues with downstairs neighbors and my dogs. I know 1st floors get a lot of criticism but the pros outweigh the cons for me.
But I completely ignored one thing. The hazard map and the fact that there’s a river right next to it. My apartment isn’t right in front of the river, but it’s pretty close and the hazard map puts me in “get out right away” territory.
So, has anyone ever had their 1st floor apartments flooded before? I just want to know if it’s ever happened to anyone.
My biggest fear is I’m at work and my dogs get hurt because of flooding. I don’t care about possessions.
I don’t have many options and the earliest I can find a new apartment is probably a year. I just want to know how screwed I am right now.
10 comments
Hazard maps are usually made for “the big one” and not normal, every day storms. Should be fine unless there’s a freak rain storm that floods the river.
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If you need to worry about that hazard map – you’ll have far bigger problems to worry about.
In case the weather forecast says a storm is coming to your area, you just need to get a day off or take him to a pet hotel in advance?
Once or twice a year so it shouldn’t be too much of cost.
Hazard map doesn’t automatically mean you will get flooded every time it rains. It’s just a precaution when the once in a decade megastorm coming. The last big one was 2019 and even then Tokyo was fine.
1. Breath deep
2. You’re fine
3. Even with major storms/typhoons a friend in a flood zone who’s house actually backs up to one of Tokyo’s major rivers have never gotten flooded.
The first floor of my building (the lobby) got flooded during the big typhoon in 2019 when the Tamagawa river rose. It was just a little wet but some of the semi-basement type places in the neighborhood got destroyed.
rest in peace
Chances are you will probably move out by the time such flood hits, so don’t worry.
Enjoy your new apartment and don’t overthink it.