Get a bird’s-eye view of our stricken towns
[From Ofunato city-my stricken home town]
-Great East Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Disaster-
“Grasping the present situation of our native town” from a helicopter byAir Self-Defense Force
“Grasping the present situation of our native town” from a helicopter by Air Self-Defense Force was performed over the stricken site of Ofunato city on May 21. Members of the city reconstructive decision committee and chiefs from every community center were got on board. They tried to grasp the present condition of the stricken city applying for the reconstruction program. People on board reexamined a dreadful scene over the disaster-stricken area and a steady progress in restoration, and could find some ideas for new community development.
The program was performed under the Community Life Support Service of the Self -Defense Force. The program is expected to promote earlier recovery of the city. Total of 51people in ten groups, including the mayor Mr. Kimiaki Toda, city assemblymen and staff from the city hall were also participated. About 15 minutes flights were made based on the playground of the Kayanaka School of Prefectural East-ofunato Senior High School in Takkon town.
At first, the helicopter took an air route over the coast line where towns of Ofunato, Akasaki, and Massaki locate, then turned at over the great seawall area that was completely damaged by the tsunami. During the flight, enormous scale of disaster was reexamined especially over the stricken area of Ofunato town where a large number of houses and shops were washed away. A scene of still flooded roads along the coast lines was also observed, which were caused by land subsidence.
Before & after of the great seawall area of Ofunato Bay
On the other hand, huge vacant lot was spread out along the border line between flooded and no flooded areas, where all rubbles have already removed. Participants could also grasp reconstruction of life lines, such as newly built new electrical posts. Their attentions were also put on the mountain region for expecting new site for housing and other purposes.
‘I could realize that the huge tsunami rushed deep into the land. We must develop safety towns where citizen can live peacefully without losing any human lives, as well as houses.’ Ms. Mariko Yamaguchi, one of the members from the city reconstructive decision committee and the representative of various female organizations in the city, expressed her opinion after the flight.
＜Reference＞
http://www.tohkaishimpo.com/
View Ofunato City in a larger map
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Comment from Leo G.A. Fuller
Time 29/05/2011 at 07:22
Dear Kiki,
More suggested emergency use of units:
Leo Fuller/ Fleetwood Homes can very easily and quickly produce units that can augment and assist the present emergency shelters with additional bathing- lavatory- laundry- classroom- office- medical facilities. Assets can be moved to where needed as the disaster response/reconstruction progresses.
1. Portable temporary emergency and mass use bathing/shower units
2. Portable temporary emergency and mass use toilet/lavatory units
3. Portable temporary emergency and mass use laundry units
4. Portable temporary emergency and mass use School/Classroom units with lavatories
5. Portable temporary emergency Office/commercial use units with restroom facilities included
6. Portable temporary emergency housing with handi-cap features including wider inside doors, lowers counters, and wheelchair accessible bathrooms and showers
7. Portable temporary emergency structures that can be outfitted/modified in Japan as doctor clinics, veterinary hospitals, banks, etc.
Special features:
1. Units can be ordered, built, shipped, and stored, for future use.
2. Units can be moved, stored, re-used, or re-sold (to recapture cost) after emergency is over.
3. Units do not need level ground for install.
4. Units are self contained and can be used at many different sites. These units can be moved to where ever they are needed.
5. Units are modular/ manufactured housing/HUD design. This product is sourced only from import and would not compete with Japan domestic housing and pre-fab producers.
6. Units properly installed have a high earthquake survivability probability.
7. Units can be installed on high piers or stilts/pilings for tsunami and flood survivability.
8. Units have re-use, and re-sale value. They would not have to be destroyed like site built temporary emergency structures.