Japan Quake World's Costliest Natural Disaster

The Japanese government says the cost of this month's devastating earthquake and tsunami may reach $309 billion, making it the world's most costly natural disaster. The disaster even tops the vast damage that was caused by Hurricane Katrina. The insurance industry estimates Katrina caused around $125 billion worth of damage. The damage total could actually go higher because the government's estimate did not include the possible wider effects on the country's economy, such as reduced factory production caused by planned power outages, or the effect of nuclear radiation leaks in the nation's food and water supply. There has already been declared a shortage on the iPad 2. The effects on the US are still unknown.

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/east-pacific/Japan-Quake-Is-Worlds-Costliest-Natural-Disaster-118504664.html

Kentucky Restaurant Floats Away

A seafood eatery aboard a barge broke from its moorings on the flood-swollen Ohio River, then drifted downriver during the dinner rush before the 83 patrons were rescued by firefighters using a gangplank of ladders and ropes. The patrons used cell phones to call for help when the restaurant floated 100 feet downstream. Fortunately, the power stayed on and prevented a panic. No one was hurt and everyone was safely rescued from the restaurant. The new destination for the restaurant is still unknown at the moment, but one thing is certain, it will not stay on the Ohio. The Ohio River has been flood-swollen the last couple of weeks due to the amount of rainfall in the area.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/12/national/main20042500.shtml

Tsunami from Japan Quake Hits California and Oregon

The tsunami, caused from the 8.9 earthquake in Japan, hit the West Coast this morning. The 6-to-8 foot waves crashed into the beaches and docks of California and Oregon.  The waves flooded beaches and harbors, splittering docks, crushing scores of boats and triggering evacuations of shoreline residents. One man was swept into the sea, when he was taking photographs with two friends at the mouth of the Klamath River. The two friends were able to swim to safety. A state of an emergency has been declared in the counties along the coast. No fatalities have been recorded and the estimated amount of damage is still unknown. The damages fluctuated with each area. A town in Oregon, the whole bay was destroyed, but in Ventura, Ca.; a man was able to go surfing.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-japan-quake-tsunami-pacific-20110312,0,6166213.story?page=2

8.9 Earthquake hits Tokoyo, Japan

A whopping 8.9 earthquake hit Tokoyo, Japan last night. Hours after the quake happened,  fires still blazed and Tokoyo remained paraplyzed with phone and train service halted. The death toll is uncertain, but continues to rise. The earthquake, the fifth largest in recorded history, struck about 2:45 p.m. local time and lasted five minutes. The earthquake  triggered a tsunami that swept objects including ships, cars and homes. A ship with a crew of 50 people was reported missing. It is believed it was swept away during the tsunami. A "nuclear emergency" has been declared and nearly 3,000 people have been evacuated from the region surrounding the plant "Fukushima Daiichi" that lost power during the quake. It is feared that the reactors will melt down if power is not restored soon. The tsunami hit less than 15 minutes after the quake hit allowing little time for the people to evacuate and get to higher ground. The even t is being considered the worst event Japan has seen since World War II.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/japan-stunned-damage-earthquake-tsunami/story?id=13111113&page=3

Four Amish Children die in Flash Flood

February 26, 2011- Four Amish children died Thursday, when a family in a horse-drawn buggy were swept off the road due to a flash flood. Emanuel Wagler, who was steering the buggy, could not tell how deep the water was across the road since the sun had already set. Four out of seven children were thrown out of the buggy and drowned. The weather service had issued a flash flood warning, but the Amish family do not have electricity. The water levels have been high the last couple of weeks due to constant rain.

http://articles.sfgate.com/2011-02-26/news/28632738_1_amish-children-buggy-flash-flood