Japanese Tsunami: What You Can Do

While the Sacramento area hasn't been directly affected by the 8.9 earthquake that rocked the northeast coast of Japan and sent tsunami waves rolling towards California, local officials and residents are expressing their solidarity and looking for ways to help.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan, especially those who have lost family members, during this difficult time,” Congressman Dan Lungren [R-Gold River] issued in a statement regarding the earthquake and resulting tsunamis. “The friendship between our two countries is strong and America stands ready to assist Japan in their time of need."

Congresswoman Doris Matsui [D-Sacramento], offered the assistance of her office early in the day for families looking for information on loved ones. "The images of destruction in Japan are devastating," she said in a statement.

Sacramento's Japanese sister city of Matsuyama, located on the southwest island of Shikoku, was not damaged by Thursday's events, said Ralph Sugimoto, President of the Matsuyama-Sacramento Sister Corp.

"[We] got word from our sister city counterpart there that things are fine and safe and no damage was reported in that area," Sugimoto said in an e-mail. "However, the other side of the island of Shikoku was hit with the tsunami."

The earthquake and subsequent tsunami warning for the California coast have raised questions about how tsunamis work and what can be done to prepare for such a disaster. The attached Patch video shows U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists explain in a Patch video what caused the worst earthquake in modern Japanese history, and what resources we have domestically to prepare for the next emergency.

Many organizations have initiated means to provide relief to those affected by the disaster. Here are few ways to donate help and funds:

• Google's Crisis Response application can assist those attemtpting to locate friends and families in the wake of disaster.
• The Red Cross offers resources after a disaster for family and friends to let others know they are safe. That website can be found by clicking here. The Red Cross is also launching efforts in Japan. For those interested in making donations, visit Redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone.
• The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California is asking for donations to help victims of the disaster. Contributions can be made online at Causes.com (click here) or mailed to 1840 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94115. The center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and raised more than $600,000 to help victims of a 1996 earthquake in Kobe, Japan.
• U.S. citizens in Japan are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), according to Lungren's statement.
• Family members can also e-mail the State Department or call the State Department at 1 (888) 407-4747 from the U.S. or Canada.
• To donate or learn about other ways you can contribute to International Medical Corps' medical response, visit Internationalmedicalcorps.org. Also, text MED to 80888 from any mobile phone to give $10.