Major Earthquake Hits Japan

By Chuck Sudo in News on Mar 11, 2011 3:22PM

Like most, we woke up to the news of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan this morning and were shocked at the images that were being beamed onto our television and computer screens. The severity of the earthquake has put many countries, including the west Coast of the U.S. and Hawaii, on tsunami alert (the Tribune is streaming live video from Hawaii as the island state braces for the possibility).

President Obama has already offered assistance to Japan and has FEMA at the ready in Hawaii and the West Coast. Fox News Chicago reports that the impact of the largest earthquake in Japanese history on travel out of O'Hare is unknown. For Chicagoans with relatives or friends in Japan, Google has launched a Japanese Earthquake person finder tool (it's in Japanese). The Associated Press is reporting that as of an hour ago, 60 are dead and 56 are missing.

You can also try calling the Japanese Consulate locally at 312-280-0400 to find out how to contact relatives and friends in Japan, but do expect a long hold, as they are understandably swamped with calls right now.