 |
| The 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck the northeastern shore of Japan. There is one SOS Children's Village in southwestern Japan's city of Fukuoka. At this time, all beneficiaries of SOS in Japan are safe. |
March 11, 2011:
Japan is reeling from an 8.9-magnitude earthquake that took place at 2:46 p.m. Tokyo time, triggering a powerful tsunami that has swallowed urban areas and farmland across the northern part of the country. Much air and train traffic has shut down. Power outages and cell phone service cutoff have hampered communication in affected areas.
A nuclear reactor 170 miles northeast of Tokyo was on fire, prompting a government shutdown of the facility as well as 11 other nuclear power plants. Thousands of residents in a two-mile radius of that reactor were evacuated.
The earthquake is the worst to hit anywhere since Chile’s 8.8 quake about a year ago, according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake, the strongest in Japan’s recorded history, was so strong that it caused buildings to sway in Tokyo, 230 miles northeast of the quake’s center.
Video footage being shot by local residents and journalists show hundreds of cars, buildings, and homes being swept to sea along Japan’s northeastern coast. According to The New York Times, Japan’s official death toll stands at more than 300, but that number is expected to rise. The port of Sendai, the largest city near the quake’s epicenter, so far reports 200 deaths.
Tsunami Landing in Hawaii, California, and Oregon
The quake, which hit 80 miles offshore, shot a 500-mph tsunami from Japan across the Pacific Ocean. So while aftershocks as great as 6.0 magnitude continue to hammer Japan, coastal residents of Hawaii and northern California all the way to Alaska were told to evacuate from low-lying areas. Tourists in Honolulu were moved to the upper stories of high-rise hotels, which, like most Tokyo skyscrapers, are built to withstand earthquakes.
According to ABC News, the tsunami, which reached Hawaii about seven hours after it devastated Japan, did little lasting damage. Officials did not expect severe damage along the U.S. West Coast, but warned of high waves and banned surfers and boaters from the water.
SOS Children’s Villages Saves Children in the Wake of Disasters
Through its 500 SOS Children’s Villages across the globe, SOS provides safety for children in the midst of natural disasters like this one. SOS provides stable homes and communities for children and families whose lives have been turned upside down by forces beyond their control.
You can help. Make a donation now to support SOS Children's Villages and SOS Family Strengthening Programs around the world.