Big earthquake in Japan

[tipsygypsy]

Originally Posted by WingsToDiscovery

Quick warning though. Power may be cut tonight so if you're in at least eastern Japan, charge your phones, laptops, etc.

sure. and prepare the cash as soon as possible. ATM, and credit cards would be out of service pretty soon.

[Ryzorian]

I'm glad the US military forces were able to respond so quickly, they have alot of special equipment that can help in some of those more secluded areas.

[tipsygypsy]

and turn off the wi-fi connection and bluetooth of your phone. that would let the battery last longer. but don't turn off the GPS. GPS could be your lifeline when you are missing.

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by MMM

Are they? I just saw the number as 1,400 dead AND missing.

It`s confirmed dead. The missing is a completely different number altogether. I think the dead list is 1600 now. It was already over 1000 when the newspaper came this morning.

There has been a mess with getting accurate information. BEFORE the tsunami, there were sets of reports of damage, injuries, and deaths... And then the tsunami came and did it`s damage - knocking out all the communication.

The quake itself apparently didn`t do much serious damage. The tsunami caused the real mess. There are areas that issued "everything is fine, no damage, no injuries" reports... That now are nothing more than expanses of soaked building foundations. People ran when the tsunami sirens went off, and scattered - the regular evacuation points were unusable - so they have no idea where half the survivors are. As they`ve been able to confirm which areas were most heavily hit by the tsunami, they`re becoming a little more optimistic about survivors. (As unthinkable as it may seem) It looks like evacuation centers being totally wiped out doesn`t necessarily mean that everyone in them died, but rather that they`re scattered around in other places.

Right now the nuclear plant situation is NOT looking good.

Anyway, crossing my fingers that this does not trigger the Tokai quake. I would like to continue living.

Quick warning though. Power may be cut tonight so if you're in at least eastern Japan, charge your phones, laptops, etc.

They`re saying it will be done in 3 hour cycles - so at the longest, it will be off for 3 hours.

[Nyororin]

Hate to double post, but it looks like things have hit meltdown mode...

Anyone interested in seeing how well the containment structures really work in a meltdown situation should keep a very close eye on Japan right now!

ETA;
I am hearing reports that not only are governments encouraging people to not visit Japan under any circumstances (all of Japan, not just the north) but that they are advising all foreign residents to get OUT of the country ASAP regardless of location.
Can anyone confirm this? I haven`t personally heard anything, but I am not at all active in the foreign resident scene.

[Sangetsu]

Originally Posted by Nyororin

Hate to double post, but it looks like things have hit meltdown mode...

Anyone interested in seeing how well the containment structures really work in a meltdown situation should keep a very close eye on Japan right now!

Japan has one of the poorest records in the world when it comes to nuclear power plant problems. Footage last night showed monstrous waves crashing against the breakwater in front of the reactor, and pulverizing the nearby dirt cliffs. Someone in their wisdom decided to locate the backup diesel generators on the sea-side of the plant, where they were damaged by the waves. There was insufficient battery power to keep the cooling pumps running, allowing the reactor core to overheat. The shutdown occured as soon as the quake hit, but the process takes many hours to perform, and coolant must be circulated during the shutdown process.

A nuclear meltdown will be icing on the cake of what has already been a bad enough day.

[tipsygypsy]

thank god. it looks like the meltdown risk went a step away. They made it opening up the bulbs to let gas out. we still have to be careful tho.

[tipsygypsy]

and be aware those who are in Akita and Yamagata prefectures. Wind is changing the direction toward north west. Air might be radiated since they opened up the bulbs.

[Ryzorian]

The US is shipping emergency coolant, has that arrived yet?. Only thing I can think of is the Carrier that's in the area is going to lend some of it's supply, since it's a nuclear powered ship. Though I'm nt sure what they can do with it if the pumps dont work.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Nyororin

ETA;
I am hearing reports that not only are governments encouraging people to not visit Japan under any circumstances (all of Japan, not just the north) but that they are advising all foreign residents to get OUT of the country ASAP regardless of location.
Can anyone confirm this? I haven`t personally heard anything, but I am not at all active in the foreign resident scene.

We have been watching Japanese and American national news pretty much non-stop the last 24 hours, and I have not heard anything encouraging non-Japanese to leave the country. There was news of the first flight from Narita to Portland that landed today.