Record rainfall in Japan stranded thousands at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport on Friday, Aug. 14, while flooding across the surrounding Chiba area disrupted transportation, knocked out power to thousands of homes and killed at least eight people.

More than 14 inches of rain fell in a 24-hour period in parts of Chiba, which sits east of Tokyo, overwhelming roads and railways during one of Japan’s busiest holiday travel weeks. Soldiers were sent to help with rescue efforts.

The 14.5 inches of rain recorded in Chiba exceeded the area’s previous 24-hour rainfall record of 12.17 inches, set in October 2013, Reuters reported.

“This case was an extremely unusual situation,” Chiba Gov. Toshihito Kumagai told reporters. “I have responded to many disasters in the past, but I have never experienced a case like this.”

See the dramatic flooding outside of Tokyo

Thousands stranded at Narita airport

The heavy rain and transportation disruptions left about 7,000 people stranded at Narita on Thursday, with many spending the night inside the airport.

Airport staff distributed sleeping bags, water and snacks to passengers as they waited for transportation to resume.

Minoru Yamasaki, a 48-year-old Chiba resident returning from vacation, told Reuters he waited four hours in a taxi line before learning that a hotel he had booked could not accommodate him. He eventually returned to the airport.

The airport said most flights were expected to operate normally Friday, Reuters reported.

Several rail services remained suspended, although some trains between Narita and Tokyo resumed, helping ease congestion around the international travel hub.

Flooding cuts power, disrupts roads

More than 20,000 homes were without power early Friday after floodwaters overwhelmed a power substation, according to Reuters. Gas service was also temporarily cut to nearly 13,000 homes.

In Chiba city, hundreds of people spent the night at makeshift evacuation centers in government buildings, where they used foil blankets for warmth.

Several major highways were closed, forcing drivers onto alternate routes and causing heavy traffic.

Authorities continued rescue and recovery efforts Friday as flooding disrupted communities across the region.

Contributing: Reuters

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or on X @athompsonUSAT