It never crossed my mind last night that when I went to bed I’d wake up to an email from a friend in Hawaii telling me not to worry because she was evacuating.
She gave no explanation and I suppose that was because she figured I knew what was going on. I didn’t, of course. I jumped up from the computer and turned on CNN to discover an earthquake of 8.9 magnitude had occurred off the coast of Japan—approximately 231 miles to the epicenter. The quake had triggered a tsunami with a wave of 20 to 30 ft (still unclear as reports have not been accurate on the size of the wave).
And in the aftermath of this quake and tsunami, Hawaii and our own West Coast had been placed under warnings. Thank God for those warnings. There has most certainly been enough lead time for everyone to have had enough time to evacuate by now. And as I write this post, the tsunami is presently hitting the Hawaiian coastline. So far no reports of any huge wave activity or damage. But they are bracing for this none the less.
My heart goes out to the people of Japan. The destruction that has happened is something they must live with for months and possibly even years to come. The death toll hovers at about 70 right now, but as those areas no one can get into at this time begin to open up, I’m sure that number will climb.
I can’t help but think of how we all hang by some delicate thread and that we never know when that thread is going to break. My prayers are with everyone affected by this disaster.
12 comments:
Death toll has gone up- they found about 200-300 dead in one city alone. It is so sad.
I was online (couldn't sleep) on FB when an old friend who is stationed in HI posted that she was ready to evacuate if needed.
I called my daughter at 5am our time (2am her time) to tell her what was going on- she doesn't have a TV but had been on FB an hour earlier. She informed me she does have FB and knows. Brat. I just don't want her to rush off with her camera to take pics.
I guess when it hits the Continental Shelf it may pick up speed on the way to the West Coast.
I hope everyone is safe. And don't go surfing!
Hawaii seemed to be okay with it. Three foot surge that didn't do much it seems. Waves of up to seven feet have been reported there---with the possibility of nine foot waves. Not day break there yet, so no way to tell what if any damage.
West Coast? They are expecting the same size of waves it looks like. I just pray that everyone is safe and damage is minimal.
My heart breaks for the people of Japan.
And if your daughter is in the path...definitely tell her not to rush out and take pics.
I was the same way, Tess. Woke up knowing nothing about it to find a message online. Startled, I had to do some digging to find out what was going on.
Horrible devastation in Japan. Couldn't believe it when I saw the news. Our local TV station does vacation spot tours. One of the anchors plus crew go with local residents. There are 38 of them in Hawaii now. The last we heard, the group is fine and moved to higher ground.
I immediately went to CNN.Com, Faith. When Kellie said evacuate, I figured it was earthquake or tsunami. Hadn't heard of any hurricanes in the Pacific. But I just knew that whatever it was--was big enough that CNN would have it.
Very scary.
And the devastation is something I just can't imagine. Although I've seen similar with the news clips from Hurricane Katrina, of course.
It looks like damage in Hawaii is going to be minimal. Thank God. So many people this day are so lucky to be alive.
I just can't get my mind wrapped around all the destruction and loss of life in Japan, though, Cassie. I can't imagine what those poor people are going through.
Well, I'm not at home. Imagine my horror being 3000 miles away when I learn that a tsunami is headed for my family in LA. That's what I woke up to this morning. Fortunately, it didn't materialize. I was a bit worried this morning though.
Yes, it's horrible what has happened in Japan. I am certainly praying them.
I think I would have passed out if I had awakened to that news and thought that might happen to my family. So glad everything turned out okay. Jeez...I would have been in shock for sure---unable to even speak or move.
The things that's been happening of late--flocks of dead birds, nearly two feet of dead sardines in a harbor, herds of dead cows, earthquakes, freaky blizzards--is really starting to worry me.
Something's going on and we're all fleas on the dog's back.
Oh gees, here I haven't watching the news, the world is all going to hell and I'm the last to know.
Janice~
My prayers are with the people in Japan, too. Such devastation. I'm hoping my co-worker Tom's cousin is all right. I think they live in Kyoto, but it was all so sudden and I just think of the American military personnel stationed over there, too.
Seems the weather pattern has changed drastically. We hear of disaster after disaster. What is the science community not telling us? Or our governments?
I'm not a conspiracy nut, but all of this is making me wonder.
I pray for those poor people, it could be us next.
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