Japan rocked with 8.9 earthquake.

[pomtzu]

I don't think so. Because of the population densities in those areas, I'd say the death toll will rise much greater than 10,000. Just my opinion from seeing the aerial shots of the scenes. I hope I'm wrong.

I don't doubt that, but they reported this a.m. that it was already that high. This was a verbal report that I heard, but I don't see it in print anywhere.

Sorry I confusigated you........

[Karen]

Sadly, the difference between the two figures is "confirmed" deaths, as opposed to likely deaths. I wouldn't want to jobs of the people who are having to count and identify all the bodies washing ashore in the northern prefectures, but I also know how important that job is for those loved ones anxiously waiting for some word of their family's fate.

[IRescue452]

I don't know that we'd have such a panic about food. I mean, we tend to stock our homes up here. Some people in parts of Japan, on the other hand, don't have huge fridges in their apartments and houses because they're always on the go. Plus we have tons more land space as our own country than they do in Japan. We have lots more options for food coming from elsewhere within the counry. Imagine how much food is within their island nation on any given day as compared to how much is within the continental US.

[Kirsten]

I don't know that we'd have such a panic about food. I mean, we tend to stock our homes up here. Some people in parts of Japan, on the other hand, don't have huge fridges in their apartments and houses because they're always on the go. Plus we have tons more land space as our own country than they do in Japan. We have lots more options for food coming from elsewhere within the counry. Imagine how much food is within their island nation on any given day as compared to how much is within the continental US.

I remember that back in 1986 after the Chernobyl incident, a lot of food had to be destroyed. All our harvests that year; and we were not allowed to drink milk, or eat dairy products; I remember that things like nuts, mushrooms and many other things were taken off the market. And we were in Germany, more than 1,000 km away from Chernobyl!

[pomtzu]

What good is all that food in the fridge and freezers, when there is no electricity to power these appliances to keep the food from spoiling??? Think about it............

[caseysmom]

My family could live off our pantry for weeks...

[Grace]

On September 1, 1923 an earthquake hit Yokohama, Japan. It registered just 7 on the Richter scale, but caused immense damage.

Here is a blog from the NY Times about that quake. 145,000 people died back then.

[ChrisH]

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisH
That report is from the beginning of February.

It is dated March 13, 2011.

I should have written "The BBC report quoted is from the beginning of February."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12331811

[Karen]

My family could live off our pantry for weeks...

But that assumes you could get to your pantry ... and many of these people's whole houses are in rubble.

I think most New Englanders would live off their pantry supplies for at least a week, but that doesn't stop everyone from running to the store every time a big storm is forecast!

[caseysmom]

But that assumes you could get to your pantry ... and many of these people's whole houses are in rubble.

I think most New Englanders would live off their pantry supplies for at least a week, but that doesn't stop everyone from running to the store every time a big storm is forecast!

Oh I know Karen and didn't mean to sound unsypathetic...just saying I have tons of food on hand.

[pomtzu]

My pantry is very well stocked also, but most is with food that has to be cooked too, other than canned items, so it wouldn't last all that long.
Spaghetti, macaroni, noodles, rice, cake mixes, dry soup mix, bisquick, pudding mix, jello, etc. etc - all in there, but not edible as is without further preparation - and all of those require water or milk.

[Karen]

My pantry is very well stocked also, but most is with food that has to be cooked too, other than canned items, so it wouldn't last all that long.
Spaghetti, macaroni, noodles, rice, cake mixes, dry soup mix, bisquick, pudding mix, jello, etc. etc - all in there, but not edible as is without further preparation - and all of those require water or milk.

I always have some dry milk powder on hand, just in case, and we always have some gallon jugs of water on hand. I like milk with my cereal or oatmeal too much, so in desperation, I can resort to that!

I feel so sad for the Japanese people, such a hard thing they are going through, and the aftershocks must feel like adding insult to injury. I have no doubt many of the children will have nightmares for years to come because of this. I do not trust anything they are reporting about the nuclear reactor situation, seeing as they say one thing and then another that contradicts the first, but that whole thing is just added stress of the already-beleaguered people.

[caseysmom]

Its heartbreaking, especially seeing the very young and the very old without a place to call home.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

There has been another explosion at nuclear reactor 2. That's the one they have been really worried about.

[Lady's Human]

Can the news media please go back to investigating then reporting?

Too much sensationalism, too little fact.