Watch CBS News

Philadelphians With Japan Connections Try To Get Word After Massive Quake And Tsunami

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - For Philadelphia area residents with family in Japan, now is a time of waiting and worrying.

Complete Earthquake Coverage from CBS News

Tomoko Torii, with the Japanese Association of Greater Philadelphia, says she has been able to speak with her mother, who lives outside Tokyo, but has not been able to reach a sister and nephew; he lives closer to Sendai (photo), where the quake was centered.

Torii says she's hearing that shelters near that coastal city are overcrowded and train service as far south as Tokyo has been interrupted.

"And in Yokohama, as of now -- this is what I heard -- that about 10,000 people are being held around the station area because they can't take any trains home," she told KYW Newsradio.

INTERACTIVE:  Understanding the Earthquake and Tsunami

Power was being cut for hours at a time, she says, even near Tokyo, perhaps in an effort to conserve electricity.

Reported by Robin Culverwell, KYW Newsradio 1060.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.