Tsunami Warning Issued in Fukushima Region After 7.3M Earthquake Off Japan’s Coast [Videos]
UPDATES via RT – 21 November 2016
00:57 GMT
In addition to downgrading tsunami warnings to tsunami advisories in Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, the JMA also announced that tsunami advisories have been lifted for the Pacific Coast, Kujukuri of Aomori prefectures as well as the Uchibo area of Chiba prefecture and Izu islands.
“A marine threat is present. Get out of the water and leave coastal regions immediately,” the advisory states. “Due to the risk of ongoing strong currents, do not enter the sea or approach coastal regions until the advisory is lifted.”
According to the latest JMA tsunami forecast, slight sea-level changes may be observed in coastal regions, but “no tsunami damage is expected.”
00:56 GMT
Tsunami warnings for the Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures have been downgraded by the JMA to alerts, signaling a lower level of risk.
21 November 2016
23:26 GMT
Japan’s Meteorological Agency updated information about the earthquake, revising the magnitude up to 7.4 on the Richter scale from a previous 7.3. The depth has also been revised to 25km.
23:19 GMT
A tsunami warning is also in place for Miyagi Prefecture, a JMA spokesman said at a news briefing. “Please evacuate immediately,” the spokesman said adding that waves could strike immediately.
TOKYO — An earthquake with preliminary magnitude of 7.3 struck Tuesday off the coast of Fukushima prefecture in Japan. A tsunami warning for waves of up to three meters (10 feet) was issued.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says the quake struck around 6 a.m at a depth of 10 kilometres. It warned people along the coast to move to higher ground.
The U.S. Geological Survey measured the magnitude at 6.9. The earthquake shook buildings in Tokyo, 240 kilometres southwest of the epicenter.
Nuclear plant destroyed five years ago
Fukushima prefecture is home to the nuclear power plant that was destroyed by a huge tsunami following an offshore earthquake in 2011.
The operator of the plant said there were no abnormalities observed at the plant, Japanese public broadcaster NHK said.
NHK urged people to flee the coast immediately, reminding them of the devastating 2011 quake that killed about 18,000 people.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injury.
HuffingtonPost
This is an image of the Fukushima Nuclear Plant from NHK with the text "evacuate immediately." Unsettling #japanquake pic.twitter.com/9sYIFD8uuP
— Jake Milstein (@MilsteinKIRO7) November 21, 2016
Residents near the coast are being told to evacuate and seek higher ground. Tsunami waves are expected to hit repeatedly and are expected to arrive imminently in the Fukushima area, the JMA warning said.
“Damage due to tsunami waves is expected.Evacuate immediately from coastal regions and riverside areas to a safer place such as high ground or an evacuation building. Tsunami waves are expected to hit repeatedly. Do not leave safe ground until the warning is lifted,” JMA warned.
Meanwhile the Pacific Tsunami Warning center has issued “a tsunami threat message for other parts of the Pacific located closer to earthquake,” while stressing that there is no tsunami threat for the US state of Hawaii.
According to the latest estimates by Japan’s authorities, waves of up to three meters high will arrive ashore by 6:30am local time.
【速報】津波警報!津波警報!
すぐにげて!福島県沖で震度5弱の地震発生!
[緊急地震速報]06:01:14現在
第11報(終) 9地域に警報
発生:05:59:45
震源:福島県沖 37.3N 141.6E 10km
規模:M7.3 最大4
予想:3.0 到達 - pic.twitter.com/odMWZlj3j1— 快速SLオコジョ幸せ物語 (@loveC57180) November 21, 2016
Tsunami advisories have also been issued for the Pacific coast of Aomori Precture, Iwate Prefecutre, Miyagi Prefecture, Ibaraki Prefecture and the Kujukuri and Sotobo areas of Chiba Prefecture.
NHK News Japan warned those living on the coastline in Fukushima to “hurry up and run away.”
The news outlet is also reporting that the Coastguard issued a navigational warning in Fukushima Prefecture and the northern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, for ships to avoid the area.
福島県いわき市の沖20kmで津波が実際に観測されました。福島県沿岸の方はいますぐ逃げて下さい。沿岸にも押し寄せます。急いで逃げて下さい。
— NHK生活・防災 (@nhk_seikatsu) November 21, 2016
RT