The 2020 Kyushu floods were a series of floods in July 2020 brought on when record-breaking heavy rain hit the prefectures of Kumamoto and Kagoshima, on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, on 4 July 2020 in the middle of the East Asian rainy season. The event is officially referred to as by the Japan Meteorological Agency. As a result of flooding and landslides, 77 people were confirmed dead (includes 1 death due to cardiopulmonary arrest) and approximately seven are missing. Fourteen of the victims were residents of an old age home in Kuma, Kumamoto that was flooded. Approximately 15,335 buildings were destroyed, damaged or flooded. Background Typhoons, storms, and heavy flooding have hit Japan hard in the years prior to 2020. Aside from Hokkaido, the entire country is subject to the East Asian rainy season, known as Tsuyu (梅雨), during the early part of summer. The mountainous terrain of Japan places it at risk for flooding and landslides. These climate events have killed hundreds of people, and expert analysis has stated global warming is a contributing cause. The Kuma River basin had previously flooded in 1965. One of three major rapids in Japan, the Kuma is a class A river. Its course begins in the mountain range in Kyushu, and runs through Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto; Kuma, Kumamoto; and Yatsushiro, Kumamoto before it discharges into the Yatsushiro Sea. Events On 4 July 2020, heavy rain caused flooding in the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. At 5 AM, local time (UTC+9) the Japan Meteorological Agency raised its heavy rain warning to its highest level of 3 in many parts of the prefectures, the first time it has ever done so for these areas. The Japan Meteorological Agency stated the amount of rain was record-breaking for the region and was never seen before. The rate of rainfall exceeded per hour. As of 9 July 2020, 60 people are confirmed dead and approximately a dozen are reported missing. According to Kyodo News, 1.3 million people were ordered to evacuate their homes and there were 12 different landslide events. Fourteen of the dead were residents in a flooded old age home in Kuma, Kumamoto. Kumamoto governor Ikuo Kabashima stated that scores were stranded after mud and floodwater gushed into the old age home. According to a rescue volunteer, when they reached the old age home, the water was still on the first-floor level. The rescue