Page 3 - Hit Sendai News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Out, we have more from hong kong. kristi, it is encouraging to begin to see the search and rescue operations. the question we can't answer yet, though, what is the size. what is the scope of the challenge facing not only the japanese authorities but all the international help now coming their way? >> it is very encouraging to see live pictures of the rescue operation in sendai, the area in northeastern japan, most affected by the earthquake and resulting tsunami. this is already about 18 hours after the initial 8.9-magnitude quake struck. already we're looking at live pictures, confirmation th...

This was very violent and very long. >> it is now morning in japan. roughly 9:30 a.m. in the morning. of course, the epicenter of this disaster is in the northeast in sendai, but they're in the capital city in tokyo are you seeing any clear evidence of damage, destruction from the earthquake? >> i'll tell you, right now i'm on the way to the airport. we've just crossed over from tokyo metropolitan area into chiba prefecture, and i'm seeing the first damage that i have encountered. the road is buckled. there's water coming up through the pavement, and it's contributing to the horrible traffic j...

Have you still been unable to get in touch with your son? >> reporter: yeah, unfortunately. the phone lines are still down. my son, of course, has his cell phone, and i haven't been able to get to him by cell phone. i haven't been able to get to anybody at his school. i have his teacher's phone number. she doesn't answer. it's not that she doesn't answer. it's just the phones are not working. it's very upsetting situation. as can you imagine. >> is there any information coming from the government? is there any place you have been able to find any information at all? you just heard our correspo...

Of course, we'll stand ready to provide them with what any assistance they require, john. >> that's mark bartolini from the u.s. agency for international development a short time ago. and i know from your experience covering the tsunami several years ago, it is remarkable, when you see a government, a country in need not only from the united states but around the world, i remember teams there when i there was from australia, new zealand. it's remarkable the outpouring that comes in. and certainly we hope, we hope that japan's challenge is nowhere on the scope of the challenge in southeast asia...

We've seen some roadways that have been cracked, as well. but what we've seen so far is very minor damage, especially if you look at some of these television images that are coming out of the sendai region. that's really what we're aiming for. that's where we've seen the bulk of the devastation. we're seeing people where we are about 100 miles -- trying to completely leave the area or getting supplies and trying to get back to their families. >> okay. i want to get an idea of the supplies that you have in your car with you as you go to sendai. one can only imagine it's an apocalyptic disaster ...