Typhoon Winnie Hits Okinawa, Taiwan

Typhoon Winnie buffeted Okinawa with high winds on Sunday, then unleashed torrential rains and huge waves on Taiwan. Two women were injured by blowing debris on Okinawa and transportation throughout the region shut down.

Okinawan police official Masakazu Kinjo said the women were struck by pieces of a roof that the typhoon ripped off and sent flying across the street.

Typhoon Winnie did not directly hit the Okinawan islands. But Masaru Shimojiri of the meteorological agency in Okinawa said strong winds of up to 47 miles per hour slammed Naha, the Okinawan capital.

U.S. military commanders on Okinawa, 1,000 miles southwest of Tokyo, sent all but essential personnel to their quarters and restricted activity in anticipation of strong winds.

Naha shops were closed down. More than 100 flights were canceled, and ferry services were suspended. Electricity was temporarily cut off in 53,300 households.