Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Off Japan’s Coast

[Irish]

I heard scuttlebutt about DOS chartering planes to evac US citizens out of country. This AM I called US Embassy in Tokyo to get the word. Some Japanese lady, bless her soul, started giving me an e-mail addy to register myself/family. That dog don't hunt. So I told her I wanted to talk to an American please, and I didn't care the wait... 40 mins later I got an American guy on the phone. I ID'd myself, he took my mobile # and then called me back minutes later from his mobile. Very nice guy, no BS, straight shooter far as I can judge.

The word is: The DOS has chartered flights to evacuate any and all US personnel in Japan. The catch is... you gotta get yourself to Narita airport in Tokyo, the flight is low cost but not free, and you have your choice of Taiwan or Seoul for destinations. Once you arrive in either of those places, you're on your own for the most part. Before we got off the phone he said don't hold your breath on what the Japanese govt is saying/doing.

Good times.

[Tree Potato]

Originally Posted by Irish

The word is: The DOS has chartered flights to evacuate any and all US personnel in Japan. The catch is... you gotta get yourself to Narita airport in Tokyo, the flight is low cost but not free, and you have your choice of Taiwan or Seoul for destinations. Once you arrive in either of those places, you're on your own for the most part. Before we got off the phone he said don't hold your breath on what the Japanese govt is saying/doing.

I'm surprised DoS didn't coord for additional "Freedom Birds", which the military uses to fly from the west coast to various Asian destinations in a continuous loop. At least Taiwan and Seoul are out of the disaster area and have many flight connection options. Just curious, is the reduced "flee fare" just for US gov't personnel or can any US citizen use it?

[Irish]

Originally Posted by Tree Potato

I'm surprised DoS didn't coord for additional "Freedom Birds", which the military uses to fly from the west coast to various Asian destinations in a continuous loop. At least Taiwan and Seoul are out of the disaster area and have many flight connection options. Just curious, is the reduced "flee fare" just for US gov't personnel or can any US citizen use it?

Spouse/family members (non-essential types who're here under SOFA) of some AD or otherwise DOD component can use the freedom birds out of a military installation over here.... Misawa, Yokosuka, Iwakuni, etc.

Any/all US civilians otherwise in country who request exfil can use the DOS charter as far as I understand.

[Richard]

According to NBC News last night, the DOE says there are 104 operating nuclear power plants in 31 states in the US and the most vulnerable plant is Indian Point, 26 miles north of NYC and located atop a previously unknown fault when it was licensed in 1976.

"A Crisis of Confidence"

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#42140012

Richard

[GratefulCitizen]

Some insight from MIT:
http://mitnse.com/2011/03/13/modifie...original-post/
-and-
http://mitnse.com/

The IAEA's take:
http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/...iupdate01.html

[Tree Potato]

Unpleasant info to share... a 12 hr period of onshore flow coming up for Honshu.

Next sig weather system will move in on 20 Mar. During approx 00-12GMT/20 Mar there will likely be low level onshore flow (sfc-5000 ft). When the winds initially shift to blowing inland we can expect weak westward flow, then the winds turn and blow toward the NW and NNW at 5-15 kts for the majority of the onshore flow period.

After 12GMT/20 Mar the winds should return to offshore flow. There may also be significant precipitation and low clouds hampering helo ops as this system moves in.