On 20 August 2014, Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan was struck by a series of landslides following heavy rain. Seventy-four people were reported dead. According to the police, the dead included three boys aged two and eleven. Following torrential rain in which a month's worth fell in a single day, several landslides were triggered near a mountain beside the city of Hiroshima. Asakita-ku was the hardest-hit ward, it received 217.5 millimetres of rain from 1:30 am to 4:30 am causing two landslides which occurred between 4 am and 6 am. Hiroshima issued an evacuation advisory at 4:15 am. Mayor Kazumi Matsui confessed regret over the advisory's late issuance and recommended that the city study the incident to improve the process. Under the law which took effect in 2001, prefectural governments and other authorities must carry out on-site research to designate areas for which evacuation plans and hazard maps will be created. In Hiroshima there are about 32,000 dangerous areas, the highest of all 47 prefectures.

As of 20 September 2014, at least 70 people have died as a result of the landslides. One of the dead was a rescue worker killed. Two children, aged 2 and 11, died in a mudslide in Asaminami-ku around 3:20am; the number of casualties was feared to be 100. The number missing was reported to be 52 on the morning of 22 August, but in the afternoon it was revised to 47 to 46 on the morning of the 23rd, on the morning of the same day to 43. On 9 September, police announced. Another body was found on 18 September, which has since been identified. On 23 August, Hiroshima city was considering publishing a list of missing persons to speed up safety confirmation. A missing persons list with 28 names in it was published on 25 August; as of 19 September, all bodies of 28 of those listed have been identified. Burials for two of the youngest victims – eleven years old and two years old – and the firefighter, were conducted on 22 August. Buddhist memorial service was held on 23 September and Shijukunichi service for ten victims on 28 September, for several others on 4 October and on 7 October.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe directed the military to deploy hundreds of personnel to assist the local rescue teams. Japanese Red Cross and the NPO Peace Winds Japan sent staff, an estimated 1,300 people have volunteered. Disaster Volunteer of Hiroshima City decided to discontinue activities on 24 August. Volunteers continued but stopped temporarily on 4 September because of bad weather. An estimated 2,000–3,600 rescuers consisting of firefighters and members of the Self-Defense Force took part in searching and clearing debris despite rain and dangerous conditions that hampered and sometimes halted their efforts. There was ongoing risk for a secondary disaster, more rain was forecast for the area. Residents on Asakita and Asaminami were told to evacuate; because schools were being used as shelters, several had to postpone the start dates. All elementary school shelters were closed 1 November. Evacuation advisories were lifted for Asaminami-ku on Sunday, 31 August, allowing about 14,400 persons to return to their homes.

Number of persons and households in shelters, by date: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe planned to visit the disaster area on the morning of 24 August, but bad weather postponed his visit by one day. Emperor and Empress visited Hiroshima 3 December, their Majesties observed damage, met survivors, SDF personnel, firefighters and volunteers.5 September Cabinet of Japan meeting estimated that 900 million yen is needed for Hiroshima's recovery. Hiroshima prefectural and municipal governments decided to provide 157 public housing units, for evacuees, free of charge. Officials were forced to hold a lottery after 284 households applied. Local governments are preparing to build temporary housing for those who lost their homes; the procedures will begin on 28 August, the earliest day tenants can move in. According to the city, municipal housing is provided rent-free for up to a maximum six-month stay, as a general rule. On 2 September, officials issued a new evacuation advisory to parts of Asaminami-ku, fearing that a nearby slope might collapse and cause more damage.

This affected around 2,520 persons. Voluntarily evacuation order was issued 24 September to districts of Asakita and Asaminami-ku because Typhoon 16. At next day, part of it was cancelled. On 1 October and further 7 October and 17th, evacuation advisories were cancelled for several parts of area. On 20 November, last evacuation advisory was cancelled and 42 people were able to return to their homes; the last shelter was closed 25 December. 2018 Japan floods List of landslides Pictures by Geospatial Information Authority Pictures by Pasco Corp. Pictures by Kokusai Kogyo Co. Pictures by アジア航測

The Blue Van is a blues rock band from Denmark consisting of Steffen Westmark, Søren Christensen, Allan Villadsen, Per Jørgensen. The Blue Van was founded in Denmark when the members were in the 6th grade at school; the group soon moved to Copenhagen, where they first recorded two EPs, in April 2005 they released their first full-length album—The Art Of Rolling. The band is known in the United States, due to numerous shows in and around New York City preceding the release of The Art of Rolling, as well as their participation in events such as the Austin City Limits Music Festival and the Village Voice's hip Siren Festival, their second album, Dear Independence, was released in October 2006. The band toured extensively with Australian band Jet to promote Dear Independence. Fans were treated to early renditions of "Rico", "The Odyssey", "Don't Leave Me Blue". In the first quarter of 2007, the band announced that they would be going into a recluse state in a farm house to write material for their 3rd album.

"Silly Boy", the lead single from their third album Man Up, was featured in a 2008 US commercial for the Samsung Behold cell phone. It was the first of many syncs from the band's catalog using "Man Up", " Silly Boy" and "I'm a Man"; those and others have been featured in various TV series, including 90210, Call Me Fritz, Shameless, Free Radio, Private Practice, the German series "Countdown-Die Jagd beginnt", CSI NY, NCIS, Mercy, Lie to Me, numerous commercials including Scrubs, Red Lobster, Common Law, Time Warner Cable, NFL football. "Silly Boy" is a part of the movie "The First Time". "Man Up" has been used in the MLB 09 video game. Most their song "Independence" was used as the theme for USA Network's new show, Royal Pains. "There Goes My Love", a single, was used in a debut Apple iPad commercial that first aired during the 2010 Oscars. The title track from their 2010 album Love Shot appears in the 2012 male-stripper film Magic Mike which stars Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey, in an episode of The Hard Times of RJ Berger.

"I'm a Man" was used in the American Pie film American Reuniom and appears on the soundtrack. "Man Up" as well was used in the trailer for Adam Sandler's That's My soundtrack. "I'm a Man" was used for the trailer for Fright Night starring Colin Farrell. In 2013 the band released their 5th album entitled "Would You Change Your Life?", recorded in Copenhagen and produced by Joshua. It was followed by an American tour in March/April same year and a full Danish tour, plus a tour in the German speaking countries. To try something new, rather than just release a 6th album, they began recording a string of singles in Copenhagen, with old producer team Mark Wills and Dan Hougesen (who worked with the band on "The Art Of Rolling", "Man Up" and "Love Shot". From mid 2014'till late 2015, 10 singles including videos was released, digital only. Outside the project a collaboration between TBV and support act, Velvet Volume resulted in a single called "Better Together". In December 2015 a huge box set, called "Letters", consisting of 2 vinyls, a book, a CD and a DVD plus the 10 single covers on thick cardboard.

Vinyl 1 has the 10 singles on it and on vinyl 2 is unreleased material, dating back to 2006 and forward. Included is a ticket for The Blue Van 20th anniversary show @ Pumpehuset in Copenhagen on April 21, 2016. In February 2011 a musical named "Product of DK" based on the music of the Blue Van, was written and performed by students at Tørring Gymnasium, Denmark. Christensen and his wife appeared in an episode of House Hunters International that debuted on November 30, 2012, in which they searched for a home in Copenhagen; the band name is derived from the "Den blå vogn" - a van that collected mentally ill people in Denmark. The song Don't Leave Me Blue from the Album Dear Independence was featured on the MTV Danmark show Smacking New, which showcases new and upcoming bands; the Blue Van - Website