Japan Tsunami on March 11, 2011 in Ostuchi

On March 11th, 2011, I was in Otsuchi Japan monitoring the largest dolphin hunt in the world as a volunteer for SaveJapanDolphins.org. While watching a dolphin hunting boat unloading at the harbor, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake shook northern Japan. The earthquake was the most powerful in Japan's history since record keeping began. Moments later, a tsunami struck with devastation to Japan's northern coast. We just barely escaped to higher ground as the tsunami was happening. The town of Otsuchi was the hardest hit town. Otsuchi had more than 18,000 residents, more than half were lost. We spent the night on a mountain overlooking Otsuchi harbor and hiked several miles over burning debris the following day to make it back to safety.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Japan
• Tsunami
• Otsuchi
• Earthquake

[JstHayleyM]

Were tsunami warnings going off be it hit? Or when they saw it coming? Or did they go off when it hit?

[stormtours]

@JstHayleyM Otsuchi had between 5-8 minutes of warning time from the sirens alone. But, after that quake, I don't think the sirens were even needed. The water hit about 8 minutes after the quake ended. It wasn't much time at all.

[stormtours]

@JstHayleyM I'll clarify "not needed", because it was obvious...even we knew it and we have no experience with quakes/tsunamis. But, still it wasn't much time to take shelter.

[soyounoat]

Crazy. The full length videos are among the best documentation of a severe tsunami in history. The awareness and urgency you had are critical. What still surprises me is how many of the citizens of this and similar populated areas did NOT have the same awareness. THere are dozens of videos showing people driving casually or walking about as the water approaches them. Hope fully more will now learn. I live atop a subduction zone in the PNW US. I thank you for these videos.