Today, March 11th, 2011, the strongest earthquake in the last 140 years strikes off the coast of Sendai City, 80 miles off the northeast coast of Japan. Police report over a hundred dead, and 350 missing, and over 500 injuries reported so far.
Japan declared a state of emergency for the area surrounding the Onahama nuclear reactor, which could not cool it’s core after the quake. Two stations reported trouble, but no radiation leaks have been mentioned. The other power plants affected by the earthquakes have successfully shut down.
“The magnitude 8.9 offshore quake — the largest in Japan’s history — unleashed a 23-foot tsunami and was followed by more than 50 aftershocks for hours, many of them of more than magnitude 6.0” stated Fox News’ report.
1300 miles of coastline were affected by the earthquake, which reached all the way to Tokyo. Hundreds are being counted washed upon the shore along the costal areas. Additionally, a passenger train near Nobiru station and a ship holding 80 dock workers are unaccounted for. The ship was washed away by the massive wave.
I write this as I await news of my Friends and Family in Japan. We will continue to pray for all the wonderful people in this beautiful country.
Please refer to these articles, as well as numerous other reports for more information.