URGENT PRAYER ALERT: Japan's Nuclear Meltdown Threat Increases
by Aimee Herd : Mar 14, 2011 : FOX News.com
If you would like to donate to help those in Japan affected by the earthquake and tsunami, click on the following links: SAMARITAN'S PURSE RED CROSS.
[UPDATE: 3/14/11- 9:52 AM PDT]—According to the latest AP report, the threat of a nuclear meltdown at three of Japan's earthquake-affected facilities has increased, and is now a very real danger.
The report stated that cooling water had receded in the building, leaving the nuclear rods exposed—a condition that is highly conducive to melting down and exposing many to radioactivity.
Authorities say Japan's death toll has reached 1,833, and at least 2,369 are missing.
Read the full AP report by CLICKING HERE.
[UPDATE: 3/14/11- 12:00 AM PDT]—According to one of the latest reports from FOX News: Millions of people spent a third night without water, food or heating in near-freezing temperatures along the devastated northeastern coast where thousands of bodies were reported to have washed ashore. The containment building of a second nuclear reactor that provided some of the power for the region exploded because of hydrogen buildup. (Photo: A man is found alive in the rubble by rescuers in Japan/FOX News.com)
Food and water is said to be in very short supply as Japan's government is overwhelmed with the situation. "We are only getting around just 10 percent of what we have requested," explained one Japanese government official. "But we are patient because everyone in the quake-hit areas is suffering."
However, many countries have now stepped up to bring aid, and rescuers, as well as helping in the immense cleanup.
Meanwhile the country—and the world—waits and prays, as fears of a nuclear meltdown continue, after a second reactor experienced an explosion due to hydrogen buildup.
Almost unbelievably, yet another tsunami wave may have been spotted at sea early Monday morning, and officials ordered residents and those still remaining near the coast, to higher ground. Follow the source link for more information, and check back here for more updates.
[UPDATE: 3/13/11- 8:24 AM PDT]—An excerpt from the latest AP update as of 8:25 AM PDT read: Japan's nuclear crisis intensified Sunday as authorities raced to combat the threat of multiple reactor meltdowns and more than 170,000 people evacuated the quake-and tsunami-savaged northeastern coast where fears spread over possible radioactive contamination.
Nuclear plant operators were frantically trying to keep temperatures down in a series of nuclear reactors—including one where officials feared a partial meltdown could be happening Sunday—to prevent the disaster from growing worse.
Read more here.
[UPDATE: 3/12/11- 1:24 PM PST]—While the official death toll in Japan in nearing 700 some say it is much higher, as thousands are still missing after the world's 5th largest earthquake (Japan's worst ever), and the engulfing tsunami that followed on Thursday.
Many countries are sending rescue workers and aid to help in the response to the disaster, including the US, South Korea and Britain.
Meanwhile, the world watches nervously along with Japan, as the devastated country deals with nuclear reactors that have lost their cooling systems, and threaten a meltdown.
There was already an explosion at the Fukushima Daiichi plant on Saturday that sent smoke into the air and buckled the walls surrounding the reactor; but didn't damage the reactor itself.
Seawater is being used to cool the reactors, and some who were in the vicinity were reported to have received some radiation.
CLICK HERE or on the source link for more information on this report.
[UPDATE: 3/12/11- 12:17 AM PST]—According to AP reports, Japan's official death toll stood at 413 on Saturday, with 784 people still missing and over 1,000 injured.
The report said that an "untold number of bodies were also believed to be buried in the rubble and debris."
In addition two reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant lost their cooling ability, leaving the danger open for a possible meltdown according to Japanese authorities.
Ryohei Shiomi, an official with Japan's nuclear safety commission, said that "even if there was a meltdown, it wouldn't affect people outside a six-mile radius, he said. Most of the 51,000 residents living within the danger area had been evacuated." he said. For more, CLICK HERE.
[UPDATE: 3/11/11- 2:25 PM PST] After Japan experienced its worst earthquake in 100 years (8.9 magnitude), and a devastating tsunami that followed, Prime Minister Naoto Kan declared a “nuclear emergency” after nuclear reactors were shut down, and the cooling system was knocked out on one of them.
"It's possible that radioactive material in the reactor vessel could leak outside, but the amount is expected to be small and the wind blowing toward the sea will be considered," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano in a news conference.
The US Air Force reportedly delivered coolant to stop the rise in temperature of the nuclear rods in the facility.
According to the Reuters report, some 3,000 people who live within a 3km radius of the plant had already been evacuated.
Read more of this update HERE.
[UPDATE: 3/11/11- 2PM PST]—According to the latest AP report, "the US Coast Guard is searching for a man swept out to sea in Northern California while taking pictures of tsunami waves."
And, in Brookings in southern Oregon, four people were swept off a beach by the tsunami surge this morning and into the ocean, however, two were able to get out on their own, and the other two were rescued by "law enforcement and fire officials," said the AP report.
[UPDATE: 3/11/11-12:45 PM PST]—Hours after the huge tsunami engulfed whole towns, roads and cars in Japan, tsunami surges began hitting Hawaii and parts of California. There were no reports of any injuries from the surges on the US west coast, but according to an AP report, "Damage estimates in Crescent city were in the millions, and more boats and docks were hit in Santa Cruz on California's central coast. Surges are expected throughout the afternoon."
Hawaii reported being battered by 7-foot waves in Maui, as water flooded roadways and hotel lobbies on the Big Island.
For more information, CLICK HERE.
[UPDATE: 3/11/11-8:50 AM PST]—What is being called the 5th largest earthquake since 1900 (8.9 magnitude) and the immense tsunami that followed, devastated parts of Japan on Friday morning, March 11th.
Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the "enormously powerful" earthquake had caused "tremendous damage over a wide area."
There are reportedly hundreds killed and hundreds more missing, after a wall of water swept over roads and towns near the coast, taking crumbled houses, buildings and cars with it. (Photo: REUTERS)
A nuclear energy plant in Japan is reportedly in danger.
Tsunami warnings were issued for Hawaii and US Pacific coastal regions. Hawaii experienced surges, the largest of which was said to reach about 100 feet inland at Napoopoo on the Big Island.
Waves about 7 feet high were recorded on Maui, and 3 feet in Oahu and Kauai. Officials warned that the waves would continue and could become larger, and a scientist at the tsunami warning center said there was likely some damage to mooring facilities and piers, according to an ABC News report.
A few other reports of some damage in Hawaii and parts of California were just starting to trickle in.
Click on the source link to view videos of the destruction from the earthquake in Japan and the horrific tsunami that followed.
President Barack Obama sent his condolences to the people of Japan and declared that the United States stands ready to offer aid, citing the strong ties between the two nations.
[3/11/11-6:14 AM PST]—The 8.9 magnitude offshore earthquake that hit about 373 Kilometers away from Tokyo was the most powerful to hit Japan in at least 100 years, according to a CNN report. The massive quake triggered a wall of water that engulfed whole towns, and rice fields, dragging cars, houses and buildings with it.
In Japan's coastal town of Sendai, the tsunami was reported to be some 33 feet high.
Tsunami waves began rolling into Hawaii early Friday morning, and US Pacific Coast are on alert.
To read more and watch numerous videos of the quake and resulting tsunami, click on the source link provided.
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