Moving south
HACHINOHE: No problem past the harbour-side road; much damage to fishing equipment.
18 KM SOUTH OF HACHINOHE: First wreaked house. Had come over the road in a few places.
RIKUCHU YAGI: 600 meters of the rail line washed out; much damage in the village; roads cleared, locals cleaning up.
KUJI: The river washed over the banks and flooded a large area; many damaged houses; cleanup proceeding well...
NODA: Highway 45 was just opened; one way. Very heavy, widespread damage about a kilometer inland. Railway destroyed. Self Defense Force active.
FUDAI: Heavy damage at the harbour; upper town okay, but very quiet. Evacuated?
TANOHATA: Electricity on; high ground, no damage; stores open.
OMOTO: No power; very bad 1 kilometer in. On the way back, we spoke to a local man who said they were running out of food; we offered apples and juice; he said "it's okay"!, but we gave him 4 boxes and told him to give them to the shelter... A bit unreal; one guy was walking his dogs, some others were getting gas out of a wreaked truck.
SETTAI: Locals and Self Defense Force in place cleaning up.
TARO: Stopped outside town. A man from Tanohata had been there and seen the town mostly destroyed. Self Defense Force are getting bodies out; no one is allowed in from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. Just beyond is Miyako, where we hoped to contact a pastor on behalf of the Baptist church in Morioka. We will attempt to get in there from Morioka tomorrow.
Observations:
· Gas (petrol) will big a problem. A few trucks were getting in by 5:30 pm; we got 10 liters by God's grace and good timing (or we woulld not have gotten back).
· Don't count on electricty or cell phone service.
· Bring all your own food, water, and anything else you think you will need. It may be available, but should be left for locals.
· People seem to be in shock in the bad areas; no idea what they need or want. In less affected areas, they don't seem to need or want help.
· I think we will have to get an introduction from someone, so they know that we can be trusted, and so they will feel less reticence about receiving help.
· Work is likely to be (very dirty) cleanup.
--John Elliot
