Japan Earthquake
 

Just been watching the reports on the BBC breakfast news of the quake off the coast of North East Japan registering 8.9. Apparently, it was followed by a tsunami which has caused widespread flooding along the coast. From the video footage it looks pretty bad. The quake was felt quite strongly in Tokyo some 250 miles away but there does not seem to have been much damage caused there.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12709598

Apparently the Tsunami warning has been now been extended to the rest of the pacific basin inc,Australia, South America Russia. More aerial video footage is now being shown and it really does look bad with large buildings and ships etc. being swept across farmland

We are on Kauai and the Tsunami warnings sirens have sounded.

Keep safe Kathie

My thoughts are with all Fodorites in Japan and in the tsunami zone.

Absolutely terrifying.

Kathie, stay safe. Our thoughts are with you.The news has just said it is expected to hit Hawaii in 4 hours from now.

I have some friends in Kobe at the moment and just got a call from them and luckily the quake was only a 3.3 there and no major damage.

Kathie stay safe! Hawaii is use to Tsunami so I hope that they are well prepared.

Wow - I had no idea about this as I haven't turned the TV on for a couple of days. Thoughts with everyone in the area.

Live news from the BBC on this link.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698

My prayers are with the suffering and their families.

With the recent destruction of Chirstchurch by earthquake

things around the pacific rim of fire seem quite unsettled.

Volcano also erupting in Indonesia...

Best wishes to all affected for good health and a speedy return to normalcy.

Dang and Obama did nothing to stop it either. He was awakened at 0400 and told of the earthquake, didn't prevent that, and then neglected to prevent the tsunami. So irresponsible. At least McCain and Sarah, or Old Ron and Nancy in past days would have claimed to have prayed for or against something.

I don't know what the point is of the prior post, but this is really not a time to be trite or try to make lame jokes.

Watch this video and then see if you want to make stupid political jokes about it.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...arthquake.html

kathie, take care. still waiting for report on size of the wave hitting kauai. wave expected here in honolulu in about half an hour.

what tragedy in japan. terrible.

The US Dept. of State just issued the following travel warning:

Japan

March 11, 2011

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the situation in Japan in the aftermath of a powerful earthquake, measuring 8.9 magnitude, that struck northern Japan on March 11. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to Japan at this time. This Travel Alert expires on April 1, 2011.

The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid tourism and non-essential travel to Japan at this time. Tokyo airports are currently closed; other airports in Japan may be closed or have restricted access. Public transportation, including trains and subways are closed in the Tokyo area, and service has been interrupted in other areas. Many roads have been damaged in the Tokyo area and in northern Japan.

Strong aftershocks are likely for weeks following a strong earthquake such as this one. The American Red Cross recommends that in the event of aftershocks, persons should move to open spaces away from walls, windows, buildings, and other structures that may collapse, and should be alert to the danger of falling debris. If you are indoors, DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON: If possible, seek cover under a sturdy desk or table, hold on, and protect your eyes by pressing your face against your arm. If there is no table or desk nearby, sit on the floor against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases or tall furniture that could fall on you. Avoid damaged buildings and downed power lines. Great care should be used with matches, lighters, candles, or any open flame due to the possibility of disrupted gas lines.

U.S. citizens currently in Japan should contact family and friends in the United States to confirm their well-being at the earliest opportunity. Where internet and telephone services are not available, it may be possible to contact people using SMS (Cell text message) or other forms of social media such as Twitter and Facebook. U.S. citizens may contact the Department of State at [email protected] and the emergency contact numbers below.

U.S. citizens in Japan are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website:

https://travelregistration.state.gov. U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulates. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy/Consulates to contact them in case of emergency.

Updated information on travel and security in Japan may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Bahrain, as well as the Worldwide Caution, which can be found at www.travel.state.gov.

Stay safe, Ken.

Glad you're not in Tokyo, Kathie! Keep us updated and stay safe!

To our friends all over the Pacific Rim...

<b>TSUNAMI WARNING!</b>

This is serious business. Get away from the water if you see the tide receding abnormally. Stay safe!

My thoughts and prayers are with Japan. We were in Tokyo on Monday! Prior to that we had been in Christchurch just 2 weeks before the quake struck there. I feel incredibly lucky.

Please stay safe and follow instructions if you are in the earthquKe or tsunami zone.

kathie, send cheryl outside to check things out and be safe and sound... certainly if HI got hit it would be Hono first..