Torrential Rain Forces Thousands to Evacuate in Japan

This picture shows Hiramatsu Junior High School damaged following heavy flooding in Asakura, Fukuoka prefecture, on July 6. At least two people have been killed and 18 others are missing in huge floods that are surging through southern Japan, with authorities warning hundreds of thousands of people to flee.

A Japanese soldier helps a local resident evacuate from flooded area in Asakura, Fukuoka prefecture, on July 6.

A man holds an umbrella as he stands on a flooded road with fallen rocks after torrential rain hit the area on July 5, 2017 in Hita in Oita Prefecture, Japan.

A view of Hoshimaru district after a flood caused of torrential rain in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 6. About 430,000 people were order to evacuate due to the heavy rain.

Residents walk as they return to the devastated town of Yamada in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

An aerial view of a flooded area in Asakura City, Fukuoka prefecture.

Residents remove mud from their house following heavy flooding in Asakura, Fukuoka prefecture.

Houses and a road are seen submerged in muddy water after a huge landslide caused by heavy rain hit the Ono district in Hita, Oita prefecture, in southwestern Japan. Troops worked Thursday to rescue hundreds of people stranded by flood waters.

A resident is airlifted for safety after a group of people are stranded in the Ono district following a huge landslide caused by heavy rain in Hita, Oita prefecture.

A building damaged by heavy rain and flood water is shown in the Hoshimaru district in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture.

A resident stands while holding an umbrella as she looks at the damage in the town of Yamada, Fukuoka Prefecture.

Fire department rescue workers and local residents dig through mud in search of missing people at Yamada district in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture.

A resident attempts to walk carefully back home after an overnight evacuation at Hoshimaru district in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture.

Evacuated residents from a flooded area receive food aid at a school in Hita, Oita prefecture.

A car lies on debris caused by heavy rain in Asakura, Fukuoka prefecture.

Residents are rescued by boat after heavy rain isolated an area in Asakura, Fukuoka prefecture.