Japan: Emergency response continuing following magnitude-7.0 earthquake off Honshu as of Feb. 14 /update 2

Event

Emergency operations are continuing in northern parts of Honshu as of Feb. 14 following a magnitude-7.0 earthquake at 2307 JST Feb. 13. The epicenter was about 90 km (56 miles) east-northeast of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture. Strong shaking was felt in parts of Chiba, Fukushima, Ibaraki, and Miyagi prefectures, while light-to-moderate shaking occurred over much of the rest of Honshu, including Tokyo. Further aftershocks are likely over the coming days; a magnitude-5.3 aftershock occurred after the initial seismic event. The earthquake has not prompted any tsunami warnings.

The earthquake has caused moderate damage, including the partial collapse of several structures and landslides. Reports indicate that the quake injured at least 100 people in Chiba, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Miyagi, Saitama, and Tochigi prefectures; the official casualty toll could rise in the coming hours. Hundreds of residents in several locations, including Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures, have evacuated. Intermittent power and water outages are ongoing in Fukushima, Ibaraki, and Miyagi.

Transport disruptions have occurred following the earthquake. A landslide in Fukushima Prefecture has blocked a section of Joban Expressway. Damage to the train tracks has led to the suspension of train services, including the Shinkansen, in parts of northern Japan.

Heightened security, as well as localized business and transport disruptions are likely to persist in the coming days as recovery operations continue.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.