Disaster in Japan …
A massive tsunami hit Japan on Friday following an 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck off the northeastern coast. Dozens of cities and villages along the 1,300-mile stretch of coastline reportedly felt violent tremors.
Initially 60 deaths were reported but the Kyodo news agency is now reporting that between 200 and 300 additional bodies have been found in the coastal city of Sendai.
The 23-foot wave swept boats, car, buildings and debris, that were miles inland, into the water and knocked out power to 4 million homes. Prime Minister Naoto Kan said in a news conference: “The earthquake has caused major damage in broad areas in northern Japan.”
Thousands of people have been evacuated from the Fukushima No. 1 power plant northeast of Tokyo after its cooling system failed. A mechanical failure in the backup power generation system has caused concern. That system supplies water needed to cool the reactor core.
The U.S. Geological Survey indicates that the 8.9 magnitude quake hit at 2:46 p.m. It is the biggest earthquake to hit Japan since officials began keeping such records in the late 1800s.
The quake struck at a depth of six miles, about 80 miles off the eastern coast – some 240 miles northeast of Tokyo — where large buildings shook violently and workers poured into the streets.
The massive wave is making its way across the Pacific Ocean. Hawaii is bracing for 3-6 foot surges and the California coast could see 2-4 foot waves – see time estimates and travel path map and video coverage below: