The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #133420   Message #3114521
Posted By: Naemanson
15-Mar-11 - 06:47 PM
Thread Name: BS: Studying in Guam
Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
I told Wakana when she came home last night that she should ask her parents and aunt to join us in Guam until things settle down in Japan. I'd heard earlier that they had higher then normal radiation levels in Utsunomiya which is about 30 miles south of where they live.

She called them and extended the invitation but they want to stay where they are.

It has been very tough for Wakana. Smaller Japanese disasters have affected her. After one earthquake there was quite a drama where the rescue teams were trying to free a woman and her child from a car that had been buried by a landslide. We watched it on TV when we were in Japan. They got the kid out but the mother died of her injuries before they could free her. Wakana cried for quite a while on that one.

According to NHK World the rule of thumb used by rescuers is after 96 hours you are only going to find bodies. However they are still finding living survivors in the wreckage. There have been a number of "miracle rescues" shown on TV.

But the numbers are staggering. According to NHK one town had 24,000 residents and at this point they've only been able to account for 5,000 of them. Whole towns have been literally swept away.

And then there is the nuclear power plant leaking radiation all over the place. Wakana's parents appreciate our offer and will take us up on it if things get too hairy.