3.13.11

The explosion didn't severely damage the nuclear reactors.  So most likely we will be able to go back to Hirono tomorrow.


9:25am 3.13.11
Just got back from getting food and water in Iwaki.  We waiting in line for about an hour for water and filled up as many plastic bags as we could carry.  Coolers, garbage cans, etc.  Luckily we got there early.  By the time we finished the line was around the block and down the street.  The wait would be at least another 2 hours.  It was worrying to see little Obaa-chans (grandmothers) filling up giant buckets and trying to carry them on their bikes without splashing water over the edge.  I hope they aren't by themselves.


Now building 3 of the Okuma reactor is having issues, so back to waiting.  They are officially asking Hirono residents to evacuate.  One good thing is that my cell phone began working this morning.  I can't call and service is spotty but I received 30 messages this morning.  Mostly from a nervous Kirby, but also my Japanese friends and JETs.  I talked to Nas last night and she said the Iwaki JETs have gathered at Clarence's house.  I'm glad they're safe and staying together.  I think it's the smartest to stay with Bob & Fujie because I know they have my best interests at heart.  Also because they speak Japanese so they can tell me what's happening on the news.  So glad I went with them instead of going to the komikan (community center) or junior high school.  I could be freezing in a gym somewhere and I don't know what would have happened when Hirono was ordered to evacuate.  It's not like I have a car or the trains were running.  I'd probably be glowing in the dark - just kidding!  Instead I'm under a warm kotatsu (heated table), glued to the television watching people's home videos they've sent into NHK.  It's horrible!  There is a town of 17,000 people up north and 10,000 people are missing!


We are still having earthquakes.  Last night we had a big one and this morning, while waiting for water, another one.  It was amazing hearing everyone's earthquake alarms go off at the same time.  I wish I'd had my camera with me so I could have documented it.  I feel like I'm missing so much and its exhausting/daunting to write about the casualties.  Information overload.


11:38am
Fukushima-ken 206 dead, 1167 missing.  Total death count estimated at 2,800.
Talked to Kirby and Mom & Dad on Skype.  Both seem to be in better spirits.  We are prepared to leave if another earthquake hits.  The news said that within 3 days there is a 70% chance that we will have another big earthquake.  After 3 days the chance drops to 50%.  All 3 reactors are failing in Okuma and American nuclear experts have been dispatched.  We will be staying in Iwaki for the next couple days until we know the status of the cooling process.  They added salt water today.  Jane told me that the salt would cool down the nuclear substance but it would also ruin the reactors and they wouldn't be able to be used again.  I'm not an expert about this but I always believe Jane.  She's been having anxiety attacks while watching CNN all day.


I've already taken a nap and I've just been laying around all day but I'm so tired.  Mentally exhausted.  I just want to be in a warm bed with Kirby.  I know he wants me to come home but I just don't see it happening.  Other JETs were told that if they left their cities they would have to take nenkyuu (paid leave) - crazy! 


6:14pm
The government has lifted the tsunami warning and people are allowed to search the beach area.  Hundreds of bodies have been found (especially from that small town I was talking about earlier) and the death count has risen to an estimate of 10,000 people.  I think that officially makes it the worst earthquake in Japan's history.  It's the 7th worst earthquake in the world and 5th worst since the 1900's.  It's insane to think I'm in the middle of this whole mess.