In a series of storms wreaking havoc across a wide swath of Kyushu, an enormous number of trees and logs flowing from forests to residential areas have been blamed by authorities and experts for the large-scale devastation.

The torrential rains have triggered landslides and floods in Fukuoka and Oita prefectures in northern Kyushu since last week, leaving at least 27 confirmed dead and many others still missing.

Kyoko Maruyama recounted her fear when she witnessed a number of fallen trees flowing in water crash into her house in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture, on the night of July 5. Maruyama, 73, said she was dragged into muddy water as the large driftwood logs kept hitting her limbs before her son pulled her to safety and pushed her upstairs.