It will take weeks, if not months or years, to obtain even a preliminary estimate of the price exacted by the earthquake and the temblor-spawned tsunami that shook all of Japan and inundated portions of the island nation on Friday. But it was immediately apparent that the nation will suffer for an extraordinarily long time as a result of the natural disasters.
The 8.9 earthquake - the most powerful in recorded history to hit Japan - was centered about 230 miles from Tokyo, according to seismologists. Initial reports indicated horrific damage. Hours of aftershocks, some as high as 7.1, exacerbated the damage and heightened fears that additional havoc could be forthcoming.
The quake and tsunami prompted the U.S. National Weather Service to issue tsunami warnings for at least 50 countries and territories, including Hawaii, the west coasts of the United States and Canada. The warnings were timely.
The tsunami sped across the Pacific at about 500 mph. In Hawaii, the water rushed over beaches, covered roadways, flooded low-lying areas and even reached the lobbies of some of the famed hotels that line the shore of the Big Island. Damage, though, was fairly minimal and, as of this writing, there had been no reports of lives lost. Gov. Neil Abercrombie said the islands were "fortunate almost beyond words. All of us had that feeling that Hawaii was just the most blessed place on the face of the Earth today."
The tsunami retained some power as it reached California. Damage estimates there already are in the millions, with a heavy loss of boats and docks in unprotected bays and harbors reported. By midafternoon, the tsunami warning had been downgraded to an advisory in Hawaii and elsewhere, but officials cautioned residents to remain alert because additional waves could have enough power to cause considerable l damage.
The situation in Japan was dire. Officials reported that waves reached as far inland as six miles in some areas, Towns, homes, farms, highways, bridges, vehicles and boats were damaged or swept away. There were widespread reports of collapsed buildings and transportation disruptions. At least four million homes were without power in Tokyo alone. There were fires everywhere, officials indicated, including one at a major oil refinery. There were fears, too, that a radiation leak could occur at a nuclear plant. The Japanese government reacted to the crisis quickly.
Officials coordinated rescues, moved tens of thousands of displaced people to shelters, began initial damage assessments and put plans for restoration of services into effect. Though initial reports indicated about 200-300 were reported killed, officials grimly said that the toll could climb to 1,000 or far more.
A U.S. military spokesman reported that all service members in the stricken area were accounted for and that there were no reports of damage to U.S. bases or ships. Military personnel, in fact, were standing by to join Japanese rescue efforts if needed. The United States and other nations promptly volunteered assistance. Given the extent of the damage in Japan, such aid will be needed and should be appreciated.