Good Wishes to the People of Japan

[Honeybee]

I know we have some members with connections in Japan, and so I thought I'd start a thread for comments and good wishes and information on relief efforts. Like most of you, I woke up to the news reports, and it's pretty incredible. I think the only good news is that Japan is very prepared for this kind of disaster, and so it could have been worse.

But here's some utterly terrifying video of a mud/water tsunami.

http://gawker.com/#!5780907/the-unbelie ... /gallery/1

[Mr Smith]

Holy crap I just woke up and heard about this. I have friends and acquaintances in Japan, thankfully I've found out one is fine, though she's separated from her fiance who's trapped in Tokyo, but he's otherwise also fine. I've found another is okay, but trapped in her work building and doesn't know if her apartment is okay. Another I have yet to hear from, and there are plenty more in my various fandom circles I know by name only that I'd love to find out about.

Thinking of everyone over there right now.

EDIT: Also thinking of all the people in areas under tsunami watch.

[Aquarius]

I understand things aren't looking so good for Hawaii, either.

[Honeybee]

Right. I heard on NPR that if everyone follows the evacuation orders in Hawaii, it should be okay. Nearly all coastal building are built to withstand tsunamis, including hotels. Most hotels have a ground floor designed for the water to flow through.

But the plan depends on people getting to higher ground, and the last few tsunami warnings weren't followed by much of anything, so they fear people will ignore the warning this time.

[Aquarius]

Someone posted this link to pictures of what's going on in Japan on Twitter. All I can say is HOLY SH*T!!! The picture of the people in the book store is especially haunting.

[Aquarius]

Double post.

Not too long ago, George Takei posted this on Twitter:

Today we are all Japanese. Give $10 to help. Text REDCROSS to 90999, or click http://ow.ly/4ctzx Pls RT!

[Mr Smith]

I've heard from the final person I was worried about. She's a teacher and it was graduation day, but her and her students are all safe and she's at home now.

I'm relieved, but there are so many people missing, a whole train unaccounted for, and a boat that got swept out to sea...

[Reanok]

I think it's a terrible tragedy. My Brother in law once went on a business Trip to Japan the was city he lived for a month was almost totally destroyed by the Tsunami.I just heard about the ongoing evacuation of the westcoast the waves just hit Honalulu.

[panyasan]

Thanks for the links and the news update! I know people who live in Sendai, so I was hoping that city wasn't involved. However, it seems that Sendai took a major hit. I hope to get some news soon.
EDIT: I just found out that it seems that everybody is okay.

[Kathy Rose]

The older brother of one of my son's friends is in the Air Force, stationed in Japan. Haven't heard if he's all right.

Now I hear there's been another earthquake, this time in the mountains, not off the Japanese coast. At least the initial tsunami wave wasn't as large in Hawaii, etc., as they'd earlier believed it would be.