Television personality and AZfoothills.com columnist Nadine Toren is scouring the area, finding savvy Valley features, bringing readers “on the scene.” Every day she’ll introduce you to celebrities, athletes, and give you an inside look into local events and hot spots. She'll touch on topical issues, and keep AZ fans posted on all the big talkers around town.
(Photo Courtesty: NHK-TV, via Associated Press)
I just don’t feel right posting the article I originally planned on releasing today.
March 11th, 2011
4:00am: I arrive to work at my local TV station.
After logging onto my computer, I turn on the small TV that sits on my desk. It’s on CNN—“Breaking News.”
Like many people waking up on this sunny Arizona Friday, I instantly learned quite a lot happened while I was sleeping.
A massive earthquake off Japan’s northeast coast triggered a 30-foot tsunami that swept away cars, homes, boats and people. The magnitude 8.9 quake was one of the largest recorded in Japan’s history, followed by at least 19 major aftershocks. At this point, there’s unfortunately no reason to even mention the death toll, as I expect it to rise as bodies are discovered.
I figured I’d go to my next source of “news”—Facebook, only to find posts full of fear and distress.
As I roll through my “recent newsfeed,” a handful of my “friends” are bracing for a tsunami:
We are at about 2 1/2 hours before this expected impact. Hoping it'll turn into nothing for us. -From an old friend in Hawaii.
A Tsunami Warning is indeed a very rare weather statement issued here in California. As far as we know, the effects on our entire state of California will be in the form of minor Coastal flooding & rising tides. If you live on the Coast, be prepared…this fluid weather information can change rapidly. Blessings! -From a former friend and colleague, Meteorologist Roberta Gonzales, KPIX-TV, San Francisco
San Diego Friends...can you tell me what you are being told to do about tsunami warnings? Any evacuations? -From a concerned So-Cal resident.
Unbelievable.
4:30am: Our morning show begins.
We undoubtedly open our newscast with video out of Japan—horrific video: a tsunami washing east to west right before our eyes; houses being crushed; cars floating down tsunami-made rivers; and 80+ fires instantly sparked by the devastation.
Despite working in TV, my eyes are glued to the tube…and Facebook.
Who would have thought I’d wake up to my former San Diego colleagues bracing for potentially catastrophic problems?
A tsunami advisory for San Diego this morning. –FB post from a San Diego radio personality
I'm outside San Diego lifeguard headquarters right now...we're expecting to get the latest on their plan for AM patrols. –FB post from a San Diego news reporter
5:00am: We learn big waves are expected to hit Hawaii around 6am PST.
5:32am: The death toll in Japan reaches 50.
5:34am: The entire Pacific is officially under a tsunami warning. –FB post from a friend in Hawaii
5:40am: We're getting close. The police officers that were blocking roadways have evacuated now...the roads look creepy with NO ONE on them. The news is important to follow right now, but they sure do know how to unsettle my nerves. –FB post from my friend in Hawaii.
6:02am: Here’s what we know so far…
Electricity is completely wiped out in Japan, effecting more than 4-million people.
Roadways are packed, as people aim to escape the growing devastation.
And while those in Japan are soaking in the aftermath, our friends in Hawaii are holding onto high hopes.
Believe it or not, we’re getting reports some people are Waikiki Beach-bound eager to catch the potentially surreal sights, while others remain focused on fleeing to higher ground.
