TOKYO -- A ferocious tsunami spawned by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded slammed Japan's eastern coast Friday, killing hundreds of people as it swept away boats, cars and homes while widespread fires burned out of control.
Hours later, the tsunami hit Hawaii and warnings blanketed the Pacific, putting areas on alert as far away as South America, Canada, Alaska and the entire U.S. West Coast. In Japan, the area around a nuclear power plant in the northeast was evacuated after the reactor's cooling system failed.
Police said 200 to 300 bodies were found in the northeastern coastal city of Sendai, the city in Miyagi prefecture (state) closest to the quake's epicenter. Another 88 were confirmed killed and at least 349 were missing. The death toll was likely to continue climbing given the scale of the disaster.
The magnitude-8.9 offshore quake unleashed a 23-foot (seven-meter) tsunami and was followed by more than 50 aftershocks for hours, many of them of more than magnitude 6.0.
Dozens of cities and villages along a 1,300-mile (2,100-kilometer) stretch of coastline were shaken by violent tremors that reached as far away as Tokyo, hundreds of miles (kilometers) from the epicenter. A large section of Kesennuma, a town of 70,000 people in Miyagi, burned furiously into the night with no apparent hope of the flames being extinguished, public broadcaster NHK said.
"The earthquake has caused major damage in broad areas in northern Japan," Prime Minister Naoto Kan said at a news conference.
The government ordered thousands of residents near a nuclear power plant in Onahama city to move back at least two miles (three kilometers) from the plant. The reactor was not leaking radiation but its core remained hot even after a shutdown. The plant is 170 miles (270 kilometers) northeast of Tokyo.
Trouble was reported at two other nuclear plants as well, but there was no radiation leak at either.
Japan's coast guard said it was searching for 80 dock workers working on a ship that was swept away from a shipyard in Miyagi.
Even for a country used to earthquakes, this one was of horrific proportions because of the tsunami that crashed ashore, swallowing everything in its path as it surged several miles (kilometers) inland before retreating. The apocalyptic images of surging water and uncontrolled conflagrations broadcast by Japanese TV networks resembled scenes from a Hollywood disaster movie.
Large fishing boats and other sea vessels rode high waves into the cities, slamming against overpasses or scraping under them and snapping power lines along the way. Upturned and partially submerged vehicles were seen bobbing in the water. Ships anchored in ports crashed against each other.
The tsunami roared over embankments, washing anything in its path inland before reversing directions and carrying the cars, homes and other debris out to sea. Flames shot from some of the houses, probably because of burst gas pipes.
Waves of muddy waters flowed over farmland near Sendai, carrying buildings, some on fire, inland as cars attempted to drive away. Sendai airport was inundated with cars, trucks, buses and thick mud deposited over its runways.
The highways to the worst-hit coastal areas were buckled and communications, including telephone lines, were snapped. Train services in northeastern Japan and in Tokyo, which normally serve 10 million people a day, were also suspended, leaving untold numbers stranded in stations or roaming the streets. Tokyo's Narita airport was closed indefinitely.
Jesse Johnson, a native of the U.S. state of Nevada who lives in Chiba, north of Tokyo, was eating at a sushi restaurant with his wife when the quake hit.
"At first it didn't feel unusual, but then it went on and on. So I got myself and my wife under the table," he told The Associated Press. "I've lived in Japan for 10 years, and I've never felt anything like this before. The aftershocks keep coming. It's gotten to the point where I don't know whether it's me shaking or an earthquake."
NHK said more than 4 million buildings were without power in Tokyo and its suburbs.
As night fell, the streets were jammed with cars, buses and trucks trying to get around and out of the city. Pedestrians swarmed the sidewalks to walk home, or at least find a warm place to spend the night as the temperatures dropped.
Tomoko Suzuki and her elderly mother stood on a crowded corner in central Tokyo, unable to get up to their 29th-floor condominium because the elevator wasn't working. They unsuccessfully tried to hail a taxi to go to a relative's house. They called around to dozens of hotels, but they were full.
"We are so cold," said Suzuki. "We really don't know what to do."
A large fire erupted at the Cosmo oil refinery in Ichihara city in Chiba prefecture and burned out of control with 100-foot (30 meter) -high flames whipping into the sky.
"Our initial assessment indicates that there has already been enormous damage," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said. "We will make maximum relief effort based on that assessment."
He said the Defense Ministry was sending troops to the quake-hit region. A utility aircraft and several helicopters were on the way.
Also in Miyagi, a fire broke out in a turbine building of a nuclear power plant, but it was later extinguished, said Tohoku Electric Power Co. the company said.
A reactor area of a nearby plant was leaking water, the company said. But it was unclear if the leak was caused by tsunami water or something else. There were no reports of radioactive leaks at any of Japan's nuclear plants.
Jefferies International Limited, a global investment banking group, said it estimated overall losses to be about $10 billion.
Hiroshi Sato, a disaster management official in northern Iwate prefecture, said officials were having trouble getting an overall picture of the destruction.
"We don't even know the extent of damage. Roads were badly damaged and cut off as tsunami washed away debris, cars and many other things," he said.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the 2:46 p.m. quake was a magnitude 8.9, the biggest earthquake to hit Japan since officials began keeping records in the late 1800s, and one of the biggest ever recorded in the world.
The quake struck at a depth of six miles (10 kilometers), about 80 miles (125 kilometers) off the eastern coast, the agency said. The area is 240 miles (380 kilometers) northeast of Tokyo. Several quakes had hit the same region in recent days, including a 7.3 magnitude one on Wednesday that caused no damage.
A tsunami warning was extended to a number of areas in the Pacific, Southeast Asian and Latin American nations, including Japan, Russia, Indonesia, New Zealand and Chile. In the Philippines, authorities ordered an evacuation of coastal communities, but no unusual waves were reported.
Thousands of people fled their homes in Indonesia after officials warned of a tsunami up to 6 feet (2 meters) high. But waves of only 4 inches (10 centimeters) were measured. No big waves came to the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory, either.
The first waves hit Hawaii about 9 a.m. EST (1400 GMT) Friday. A tsunami at least 3 feet (a meter) high were recorded on Oahu and Kauai, and officials warned that the waves would continue and could become larger.
Japan's worst previous quake was in 1923 in Kanto, an 8.3-magnitude temblor that killed 143,000 people, according to USGS. A 7.2-magnitude quake in Kobe city in 1996 killed 6,400 people.
Japan lies on the "Ring of Fire" - an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones stretching around the Pacific where about 90 percent of the world's quakes occur, including the one that triggered the Dec. 26, 2004, Indian Ocean tsunami that killed an estimated 230,000 people in 12 nations. A magnitude-8.8 temblor that shook central Chile last February also generated a tsunami and killed 524 people.
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Associated Press writers Jay Alabaster, Mari Yamaguchi, Tomoko A. Hosaka and Yuri Kageyama contributed to this report.
Today 1:47 AM More: Obama On Japan Quake/Tsunami
At his news conference this morning (still happening now - you can watch live here), President Obama also said:
"Tsunami warnings have been issued across the Pacific. We have already seen initial waves from the tsunami come ashore on Guam and other US territories, on Alaska and Hawaii, as well as along the West Coast.Here in the United States, there hasn't been any major damage so far. But we are taking this very seriously and we are monitoring the situation very closely. Fema is fully activated and is co-ordinating with state and local officials to support these regions as necessary. Let me just stress: if people are told to evacuate, do as you are told.Today's events remind us how fragile life can be. Our hearts go out to our friends in Japan and across the region, and we are going to stand with them as they recover and rebuild after this tragedy."
Today 1:34 AM BREAKING: Obama Speaking About Japan Quake/Tsunami Now
President Obama says a U.S. aircaft carrier already off the coast of Japan and another is one its way to assist in the relief effort.
Obama says that during a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Naoto Kan he conveyed the American people's "deepest condolences, especially to the victims and their families". "I offered our Japanese friends whatever help is needed," he adds. "We currently have an aircraft carrier in Japan and another is on its way. We also have a ship en route to the Marianas Islands to assist as needed. The defense department is working to account for all our military personnel in Japan. US embassy personnel in Japan have moved to an off-site location, and the state department is working to account for and assist any and all American citizens who are in the country."
More to follow.
Today 1:23 AM Second Train Reported Missing In Japan
A second train has been reported missing following the quake and tsunami in Japan, according to the AFP news agency.
Today 1:18 AM 'Risk Of Radiation Leak' At Japan Nuclear Plant
BBC News reports:
The Tokyo Electric Power Company has said the pressure inside the No. 1 reactor at its Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear plant has been rising, with the risk of a radiation leak, according to the Jiji Press news agency. Tepco planned to take measures to release the pressure, the report added. The reactor's cooling system began to malfunction after the earthquake. People living close to the plant were later evacuated as a precaution.Nuclear physicist Dr Walt Patterson tells the BBC it sounds like there is a "serious problem" at the Fukushima-Daiichi plant. "It's the sort of thing that nuclear engineers have nightmares about," he says. "If it is not resolved in the next few hours it will get serious. If the core is uncovered, then those rods at the top may get hot enough to melt themselves."
Read more here.
Today 0:59 AM Japan News Agency Estimates Death Toll To Surpass 1,000
 | @ mikeallen : AFP: URGENT Japan's Kyodo News estimates quake, tsunami death toll to surpass 1,000 |
Today 0:53 AM U.S. Airlines Cancel All Japan Flights
Reuters reports:
U.S. airlines canceled most of their flights to and from Japan on Friday, although limited service remained after the country suffered a major earthquake that hobbled operations at Tokyo's main international airport at Narita.The exact number of flight cancellations was unclear and airlines cautioned that the situation was rapidly changing after the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and a resulting tsunami.
Today 0:51 AM How To Help Japan: Earthquake Relief Options
On March 11, 2011, a huge 8.9 earthquake and subsequent tsunami hit Japan, causing widespread destruction.
President Obama has already released a statement sending "deepest condolences" and promising support to the stricken country.
"The United States stands ready to help the Japanese people in this time of great trial."
Additionally, many organizations and funds have mobilized to provide relief to those affected by the disaster.
Click here to find out how you can contribute to the various relief organizations who will be helping in the aftermath of this natural disaster.
Today 0:47 AM Asia Pacific Countries Lifting Tsunami Warnings
BBC News reports:
Tsunami warnings have been lifted for mainland Australia and New Zealand, officials say. China, Indonesia and the Philippines lifted their tsunami alerts after Taiwan and the US territory of Guam also said the threat of the massive waves had passed. Warnings remain in effect for several countries including Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru.
Today 0:32 AM Japan’s Strict Building Codes Saved Lives
Norimitsu Onishi writes in the New York Times:
From seawalls that line stretches of Japan’s coastline, to skyscrapers that sway to absorb earthquakes, to building codes that are among the world’s most rigorous, no country may be better prepared to withstand earthquakes than Japan.Had any other populous country suffered the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that shook Japan on Friday, tens of thousands of people might already be counted among the dead. So far, Japan’s death toll is in the hundreds, although it is certain to rise somewhat.
Read the full story here.
Today 0:27 AM U.S. Aircraft Carrier Could Be Deployed To Japan
From BBC News:
The BBC's Roland Buerk in Tokyo says a US aircraft carrier could be deployed off northern Japan to help with firefighting and the rescue effort. Officials in Tokyo say it is one of a number of ideas being considered.
More here.
Today 0:23 AM Official Death Toll 137, Likely To Rise
BBC News is quoting Japan's Kyodo news agency is now saying the death toll has risen to 137.
It should be stressed that CNN and other agencies have reported that 'hundreds of bodies' have been see off the coast of Japan. If their reports are accurate then the death toll will rise substantially.
Today 0:10 AM Waves Swamp Hawaii Beaches
 | @ BreakingNews : Tsunami update: Waves swamp Hawaii beaches, brush U.S. western coast; no major damages reported - AP |
Today 0:00 AM Sympathy For Japan, And Admiration
Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times writes:
It’s not that Japan’s government handles earthquakes particularly well. The government utterly mismanaged the rescue efforts after the 1995 quake, and its regulatory apparatus disgraced itself by impounding Tylenol and search dogs sent by other countries. In those first few frantic days, when people were still alive under the rubble, some died unnecessarily because of the government’s incompetence.But the Japanese people themselves were truly noble in their perseverance and stoicism and orderliness. There’s a common Japanese word, “gaman,” that doesn’t really have an English equivalent, but is something like “toughing it out.” And that’s what the people of Kobe did, with a courage, unity and common purpose that left me awed.
03/11/2011 11:54 PM First Waves Reaching U.S West Coast
The Guardian reports
The first waves from the tsunami have now reached the US mainland along the Northern California coast and southwestern Oregon. The Oregon coast is expected to be the worst affected, with surges of six to eight feet expected.
The New York Times adds:
Waves were projected to arrive at the Northern California coast at about 7:15 a.m. local time, and hit the San Francisco Bay Area at about 8 a.m., the National Weather Service said. The effect of the tsunami in the Bay Area are expected to be minimized because the waves are expected to hit at low tide.
03/11/2011 11:49 PM GOP Budget Cuts Could Hit U.S. Tsunami Preparedness
HuffPost's Sam Stein reports:
Thursday night's massive earthquake in Japan and the resulting tsunami warnings that have alarmed U.S. coasts, seems likely to ignite a debate over a previously little-discussed subsection of the spending bills currently being debated in Congress.Tucked into the House Republican continuing resolution are provisions cutting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including the National Weather Service, as well as humanitarian and foreign aid.Presented as part of a larger deficit reduction package, each cut could be pitched as tough-choice, belt-tightening on behalf of the GOP. But advocates for protecting those funds pointed to the crisis in Japan as evidence that without the money disaster preparedness and relief would suffer."These are very closely related," National Weather Service Employees Organization President Dan Sobien told the Huffington Post, with respect to the budget cuts and the tsunami. "The National Weather Service has the responsibility of warning about tsunami's also. It is true that there is no plan to not fund the tsunami buoys. Everyone knows you just can't do that. Still if those [House] cuts go through there will be furloughs at both of the tsunami warning centers that protect the whole country and, in fact, the whole world."
Read the full story here.
03/11/2011 11:47 PM Fire Out At Japan Nuclear Plant
German Press Agency DPA reports:
The fire in the Japanese nuclear power plant of Onagawa has been extinguished, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported Friday.Based on information from Japan's nuclear safety agency, the Vienna-based IAEA confirmed that an high alert level has been declared for the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, although no radiation release has been detected there.
03/11/2011 11:42 PM More Aftershocks Rock Japan's East Coast
Two more aftershocks measuring 5.1 magnitude have just shaken Japan's east coast, theU.S. Geological Survey reports.
03/11/2011 11:39 PM White House: Obama Has Spoken With Japan's PM
The White House has announced that President Obama has spoken with Naoto Kan about the situation his country within the last 20 minutes.
03/11/2011 11:37 PM Seven-Foot Waves Hit Maui - No Damage Reported
CNN reports:
Tsunami waves resulting from Japan's deadly earthquake rolled onto the Hawaiian Islands, bringing waves of nearly 7 feet to a harbor in Maui, authorities said.The West Coast was bracing for waves to come onto shore from Washington to California.No significant damage had been reported in Hawaii two hours after the first waves arrived, but officials said they will know more after sunrise.
03/11/2011 11:34 PM Evacuations In Northern California
Residents in parts of northern California have evacuated their homes in anticipation of the tsunami, The AP reports. Authorities in Oregon have also advised coastal residents to evacuate and schools were to be closed along the coast.
"There are some evacuations going on in Del Norte and San Mateo," counties, said Jordan Scott, a spokesman for the California Emergency Management Agency.Del Norte is the northernmost California coastal county, while San Mateo is the county just south of San Francisco that includes much of Silicon Valley. However, the technology centre is well inland.Canada has issued tsunami advisories for parts of British Columbia on the coast.
03/11/2011 11:28 PM Indonesia Lifts Tsunami Warning
From BBC News:
Indonesia has lifted its tsunami warning after only small waves reached its eastern coastline and caused no damage, Japan's Kyodo news agency reports. The Indonesian meteorology agency said waves of only 10cm were observed in North Sulawesi's port of Bitung and the island of Halmahera, in North Moluccas Province. Thousands of people earlier fled their homes.
More here.
03/11/2011 11:26 PM White House: Obama To Get Tsunami Briefing
 | @ markknoller : Spokesman says WH delayed Pres Obama news conference till 1230p so "he can get updated tsunami briefing." |
03/11/2011 11:20 PM Japan Military Preparing Planes, Ships To Help In Rescue
The Japanese military is readying 300 planes and 40 ships to assist the rescue operation, according to the Kyodo news agency.
03/11/2011 11:10 PM State Department 'Ready To Provide Assistance'
BBC News reports:
US state department spokesman Philip Crowley has said its officials "have been in touch with the Japanese government and we stand ready to provide whatever assistance needed in response to the tsunami". He also said ambassador John Roos had moved the Tokyo embassy's command centre to an alternative location due to the "many aftershocks" in the capital.
03/11/2011 11:05 PM VIDEO: Building Shakes In Tokyo
This YouTube purports to show a building shaking in Akasaka in Tokyo.
03/11/2011 10:31 PM Massive Aftershocks
According to the United States Geological Survey, there have been 16 aftershocks with a magnitude of 6.0 or greater, and 67 with a magnitude of 5.0 or greater.
03/11/2011 10:24 PM Oregon Tsunami Alert
Oregon has advised residents on the coast to evacuate before 7:00 AM PST due to tsunami concerns. An Oregon reader tells HuffPost that she received an automated 911 call shortly before 5:30 AM local time.
 | @ Reuters : FLASH: Oregon emergency management says has advised coastal residents to evacuate before 7am PT due to tsunami risk |
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