We are 240 miles from the epicenter and our area sustained little damage but we are very much affected here in Machida-city Tokyo. Tokyo has only sustained 6 deaths, our neighboring prefecture (state) Kanagawa has had only 3 deaths. Farther north in the Tokyo area, Chiba prefecture has had 15 deaths, Ibaraki has had 19 deaths. The true death toll in the affected areas of Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate are will not be known for some time but the number is well over 10,000.
POWER OUTAGES
As of last night the government gave a go ahead to the Tokyo Power Company (TEPCO) to have rolling blackouts lasting 3 hours through 5 main areas. We were ready for it this morning and we were expected to have a power outage this evening (in fact right now) but were glad it did not occur. The postponement came thanks to the prospect of lower-than-expected demand, as the government urged the nation to save electricity following the crippling of nuclear plants in Friday’s powerful earthquake. So far energy conservation has been good and there have been no cutbacks on power.
COMMUTING WOES
Commuting to work was very difficult today. Nearly every railway company in the Tokyo area has announced to cancel or reduce service beginning today due to the planned rotating electric outage. Today transportation was running at about fifty percent. Officials were encouraging people to not go to work or school today. Early this morning the city hall announced that neither train line from Machida was running and that the students were to stay home from school.
Today we had two workers appear at our house. They took 3 hours in traffic jams to get here. Two other workers did not show up. They may come tomorrow.
SHORTAGES
There is no gasoline to be found anywhere. Also there is no kerosene for heating.
Our Sanwa grocery store next door is completely swamped, more so than in the last several days. We talked to one woman who lined up at 8:30 this morning (it opens at 10). She reported they are already out of toilet paper, batteries etc. Food is in short supply that we noticed in several stores today.
As there is a concern that there will be a problem with sewer if the electricity is cut off the city had four announcements calling for more cooperation in conserving water.
AFTERSHOCKS
We have had at least two large aftershocks one in the morning and one in the afternoon. They are unwelcomed but also becoming common visitors.
THE REAL SUFFERING
We can only imagine the terrible discomfort and trauma of people in the affected areas who are experiencing some of these same affects but multiplied maybe 100 times. The people in the affected areas are still without power, without food, drinking water, heating supplies, and gasoline for vehicles.