Hurricane Irma is poised to rake the entirety of Florida from south to north. This reminds me of the deadliest non-earthquake related disaster in Kumamoto in modern times: a massive storm surge that left 31 dead and 1,211 injured, destroyed or heavily damaged almost 4,000 homes, and flooded 21,000 homes.
Typhoon 18 (“Jake”) came ashore over northern Kumamoto on September 24, 1999 with a barometric pressure of 930 hectopascals, dragging behind it a large storm surge. The peculiar characteristics of Yatsushiro Bay - south-facing with a very gradual slope and narrowing width - funneled the surge into a tsunami-like wave that barreled through the sea until it hit the cul-de-sac, the fishing town of Shiranui (不知火 - interesting name). This phenomenon has occurred in Shiranui periodically through history. Images of the surge and its aftermath are shown below.
Best wishes to the people of Florida from your friends in Kumamoto. - William