The most powerful earthquake in Japan's recorded history has devastated numerous towns in Japan and unleashed a 32 tsunami that swept away boat, car, homes and buildings. The 8.9 magnitude quake has sent waves rushing across the Pacific to threaten Hawaii, the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Russia and even the West Coast of the United States.
I grew up in the Philippines and have lived through several earthquakes. But when I woke up to the news and saw it was a 8.9 magnitude, I was just sick. I do not recall hearing of an earthquake of this magnitude. Indeed an 8.9 puts this in line with some of the deadliest earthquakes ever experienced in the United States.
Coastlines across the Pacific are being evacuated as memories of the Indian Ocean Tsunamis of 2005 are still fresh enough in people's minds to get them to react cautiously. Tourists are being moved to higher floors in hotels on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii as 6 foot waves are predicted. I have stayed in Waikiki hotels many times and they are right on the beach and there isn't a whole lot of beach between the hotels and the ocean. I can only imagine the possible devastation. In coastal areas all around the Pacific, hotels, other buildings and homes are so close to the ocean that widespread devastation is assured as these massive waves continue to hit.
The current death toll in Japan stands at 32 but experience says that the final death toll will be many times that number.
Once again, real experience is the greatest reminder that we all need to be prepared for any emergency or disaster.
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