東日本大震災への対応 その１ 被災 〜 Ｈ.２３
Let's start a wind of happiness from the base of Kiritachi Mountain !!!
We'd first like to express our great appreciation towards the incredible support we've received since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. In the past year since March 11th, we've compiled information on the damage and aftermath of this school since the disaster - which will be shared in this document.
This document contains a timeline of events leading from the disaster until the resumption of school activities. Additionally, we'd like to share how our faculty and staff reacted to the event and decided to act in order support the students. We hope this will give you an idea of how small-scale educational facilities responded to the disaster.
The title, "fukkou" was named by one of our students from 2011. The kanji literally means "blow happiness" but the word fukkou sounds the same as the Japanese word for "recovery". The student's intent was to bring a gust of happiness to push forward the school's recovery.
１ Pre-disaster Overview
On the day of the disaster, this school had 32 students (9 in first year, and 6 in third year), and 13 faculty members. The small facility contained a kitchen (the principal was heading it, along with the vice principal, 5 kitchen staff and one office staff).
Location-wise, we are on the northern most end of the Miyagi prefecture with the Hirota gulf (Pacific Ocean) to the east, Top of Kitakami mountain system to the west, Karakuwa peninsula to the south, and Iwate prefecture's Takata city to the north. The land is distinctive to that of a ria coastal area and rich with nature.
School districts included "Osawa" ,"Tate", and "Tadakoshi" - in order from north to south. Through the middle runs the National Route 45. Additionally, since December 2010, The Kiritati tunnel was built as the part of the Sanriku Expressway. The population here is 1,612 with 563 households. Many households have three generations living together, and there is a strong sense of family and community.
２ Day of Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Pre-disaster condition
| Times | Situation |
|---|---|
| 14:46 | A Magnitude 9.0 earthquake occurs with its epicenter off the coast of Miyagi prefecture. The quake in this region was in the low 6s on the seismic scale. The shaking continued for several minutes and it was difficult to stay standing. Since it was the day before graduation, all of the third years had gone home after a half day and the first and second years were setting up the stage and decorations. Things fell from shelves and in some cases, TVs and desks were turned over. During this time, the disaster/emergency equipment was all under maintenance so the all-school announcement system could not be used. Judging that the building was unsafe, we used megaphones and raised our voices to get everyone out to the field (70m above sea level). |
| 15:15 | After getting out to the field, we waited as light snow fell. Neighboring residents also came to seek safety, but the aftershocks were strong and frequent so we stayed outside thinking that the building was still unsafe. From here, we saw that the sea pulled back in the harbor. To keep the students from seeing what we thought may be a huge tsunami (and also to keep them safe from possible landslides), we instructed the students to move to the middle of the field. |
| 15:20 | We heard about the first tsunami wave from somebody who cam up the hill to seek safety. The aftershocks were getting lighter, so we cleaned up the mess in the gymnasium and opened it up as an emergency shelter. Faculty members were instructed to take care of students and to run the gymnasium as a shelter. Students volunteered to help. |
| 15:30 | Joining the students were faculty and residents who had been at the neighboring elementary school. The gymnasium had about 250 people, and about 30 people were outside in their cars. There was no supply of food or heat (ie. blankets). Electricity and water had stopped, the temperature continued to drop, the aftershock continued - it was overall still very dangerous. |
| 16:30 | We checked the condition of the students. Continued to stay in the gymnasium. The restrooms in the gym were not enough, so we opened the ones in the main building as well. |
| 20:00 | We decided that the gymnasium will be harmful to student and staff health. Instruct the faculty to move their personal vehicles to the middle of the field and instruct all students to spend the night in the cars for warmth. |
３−１ Regional Damage
The main damage from the earthquake came in the form of landslides and ground breakage (especially around embankment areas). Also along the National Route, the street sides were broken and breakage was found in multiple locations. In residential areas, there were some houses that were totaled, but most had only moderate damage.
The tsunami damage was especially severe in two out of the three school districts (Osawa and Tadakoshi). In Osawa, almost all of the houses (except those on high ground) were washed away. In Tate, the coastal houses were washed away but otherwise the damage was relatively small. The houses in Tadakoshi that were on the seaside of Route 45 were washed away by the tsunami. Their seaport and water gates were also devastated.
・Osawa district 16.4ｍ（inundation height）
・Tate district 16.4ｍ（inundation height）
・Tadakoshi districts 27.6ｍ（run-up height）
The debris and fire caused by the tsunami stopped transportation within the region. Cars could only be used around the campus and water, electricity, and telephones were all stopped. At one point we were completely isolated.
・Towards Rikuzentakata … Osawa district's Route 45 was blocked with debris. Kesennuma Ohashi (bridge) fell and traffic stopped completely
・Towards Karakuwa peninsula … Tadakoshi's Route 45 was blocked with debris
・Towards Kesennuma's city center … Shishiori's Route 45 was blocked with debris. All non-emergency vehicles were stopped.
３−２ School condition
Student/Faculty Damage
| Subject | Loss of family | Damage to home | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student | Lost grandmother in disaster １ | Total destruction 12 Major destruction １ | |
| Faculty | N/A | Total destruction ３ Major destruction １ Partial damage １ | |
| Kitchen Staff | N/A | Total destruction ２ |
Campus/School Damage
| Criteria | Damage |
|---|---|
| Campus | Small cracks in ground, Cracks in the ground and land subsided in some locations near the east side of gymnasium |
| School Building | Some cracks in outside walls, Damage to inside walls, Mortar crumbling and falling, Ceiling damage (holes and falling), Roof tiles falling, Window and door breakage |
| Gymnasium | Ceiling breakage (east and south side), Light fixtures break, Ceiling fixtures break, Heating system failure, Window breakage |
| Facilities | Sewage system failure, Sewage pipe breakage (kitchen and home economics classroom), Gas pipe breakage (kitchen and home economics classroom) |
４ Immediate response and role of school
※the number under Note: number of people in shelter/number of faculty members/faculty on-call
| Date | Happening ・ Response, etc | ※ Note |
|---|---|---|
| 3/11 Fri |
Day of earthquake and tsunami | 280 9 |
| 3/12 Sat |
Early morning - drive through neighborhood to check damage. Biggest damage in Osawa and Tadakoshi. Find that traffic is stopped in certain areas. ・Towards Kesennuma, we stop after Shishiori (fire in the area, no passage to non-emergency vehicles) ・Towards Rikuzentakata, stop at Osawa (Route 45 stopped, Kesen bridge fallen) ・Towards Karakuwa peninsula, stop at Tadakoshi (Debris and tsunami damage) Visit student homes to collect information - learn that all students were safe |
250 8 |
| 3/13 Sun |
The city's educational director arrives, damage report Check the safety of all third years' parents/guardians, reschedule graduation for 3/15 Write out SOS on the school field. National guard helicopter comes to check on the situation. Set up a bulletin board in the gymnasium. 4 bulletin locations within the district. Set the outside shed as a temporary place for bodies. |
250 9 9 |
| 3/14 Mon |
Check safety of all staff (including those traveling and on vacation) American military helicopter comes to drop off supplies (translation, help moving supplies) Close off temporary mortuary Put up signs indicating where the shelter and school facilities are |
250 7 7 |
| 3/15 Tue |
Graduation Hall (in the multi-purpose hall) Send report to city hall |
200 7 |
| 3/16 Wed |
Open the kitchen as a communal kitchen(〜4/18) American Military Helicopter drops off supplies(translation，help carrying supplies) |
200 7 |
| 3/17 Thu |
Send second report to city hall American Military Helicopter drops off supplies(translation，help carrying supplies) |
200 7 |
| 3/18 Fri |
Loan lunch room to out-of-prefecture doctors(〜6/30) National guard brings oil American Military Helicopter drops off supplies（translation，help carrying supplies） |
200 5 |
| 3/19 Sat |
The city's educational director arrives, damage report American Military Helicopter drops off supplies(translation，help carrying supplies） |
200 3 5 |
| 3/20 Sun |
200 4 4 | |
| 3/21 Mon |
National Guard truck arrives to bring supplies (help transporting goods) American Military Helicopter drops off supplies(translation，help carrying supplies) |
200 5 |
| 3/22 Tue |
Resumption of school club activities Bring in small generator to power a computer National guard helicopter drops off supplies |
200 3 |
| 3/23 Wed |
200 3 | |
| 3/24 Thu |
End of school year | 200 3 |
| 3/25 Fri |
Faculty transition | 200 1 |
| 3/26 Sat |
180 1 3 | |
| 3/27 Sun |
Special meeting for principals(To check on each schools' situation) | 180 1 2 |
| 3/28 Mon |
180 2 | |
| 3/29 Tue |
Farewell ceremony for transferring staff Greeting to each emergency shelter |
180 2 |
| 3/30 Wed |
180 2 | |
| 3/31 Thu |
180 3 | |
| 4/01 Fri |
The new staff came. Greeting to each emergency shelter | 180 0 |
| 4/02 Sat |
180 0 2 | |
| 4/03 Sun |
180 0 3 | |
| 4/04 Mon |
Electricity returns with the implementation of a big generator, water to restrooms fixed | 180 0 |
| 4/05 Tue |
Meetings with incoming staff，Announcement of homeroom classes Educational director and vice director arrive |
180 0 |
| 4/06 Wed |
180 0 | |
| 4/07 Thu |
Karakuwa Education Center director arrives Electricity resumes Examination of school commute routes Large aftershock（seismic intensity 6，blackout again） |
180 1 |
| 4/08 Fri |
Investigation of aftershock damage Student campus cleanup |
180 0 |
| 4/09 Sat |
180 0 4 | |
| 4/10 SUN |
180 0 1 | |
| 4/11 Mon |
Allow new students to join school clubs | 180 0 |
| 4/12 Tue |
Faculty home visits for incoming students | 180 0 |
| 4/13 Wed |
180 0 | |
| 4/14 Thu |
Set up clinic for psychological support | 180 0 |
| 4/15 Fri |
Continue to set up clinic for psychological support | 180 0 |
| 4/16 Sat |
We opened the multipurpose hall wide to the meeting of the association for a wood. | 180 0 2 |
| 4/17 Sun |
We opened the nurse's office wide for legal aid services. | 180 0 4 |
| 4/18 Mon |
Minami Sanriku educational director visits to check damage. | 180 0 |
| 4/19 Tue |
Preparation for new school year ceremony | 180 0 |
| 4/20 Wed |
Preparation for new school year ceremony | 180 0 |
| 4/21 Thu |
New school year ceremony | 180 0 |
| 4/22 Fri |
New school year ceremony continues, classrooms open, parent/guardian meeting | 180 0 |
５ Preparation for resumption of school
In this terrible situation, we though about what we could do for students as a school. While hoping for a quick resumption of school activities, did the following:
・Assessed safety of school facilities, checking safety of commuting routes
・After checking commute safety, resumed school clubs. Adjusted school hours to accommodate commutes.
・Opened library as study room during temporary school closure
・Support students through school clubs (3/22)
・Meet-and-greeted with new staff，announcement of homeroom faculty assignment while on break(4/5)
・Allowed new students to join clubs (4/11)
・Reevaluated of educational material，Condensed material，Cut back costs to about 1/3 for families
・Opened class for parents/guardians to watch, presentation of post-disaster actions（Additional day for open class）
・Opened the gymnasium meeting room as study room for elementary, middle and high school students
・Secured electric lights early to put in study rooms
・Used emergency shelter residents (displaced residents) as volunteers for curricular/extracurricular activities（ie. school clubs，emergency response training）
・Used outside help（ie. out-of-state school counselor，events, etc.）
・Set up homepage，aggressively pushed information to the outside world on our current situation and reports
・Evaluated radiation levels (campus，inside school building) and made that information public
・Pressure washed the second floor balcony
６ Cooperation of school and surrounding region
On the day of the disaster, the school's gymnasium became an emergency shelter and the faculty dealt with about 200 displaced residents. For the first few days when we did not have any supplies, and a nearby organization provided food and bare essentials. Additionally, since most of the people were from the Osawa district, the municipality came together to help the people. While local authorities did their jobs, school staff focused on managing school facilities and providing necessary equipment that we had. The communal kitchen's water pipes, sewer system and gas were stopped so only very simple food preparation could be done.
The use of school facilities during the aftermath of the disaster is as follows:
Because of the following, the school was able to focus on: readjusting curriculum, resumption of school clubs, opening of a study center, organization of student volunteer work. The communal kitchen was centered on the goal to resume school lunches.
From the school to emergency shelter to temporary housing, we tried to spark communication through the creation of flyers, posters and web page. There we advertised school events and educational activities. Additionally, we hoped to also increase community involvement by inviting guest teachers and club supervisors. Neighbors have responded well, helping with the surrounding cleanups and other activities. There is a strong sense of community - people are embracing the school as a part of their community, and are actively helping to maintain it.
Use of school facilities post-disaster
| Requested location | Purpose of use | Time, other |
|---|---|---|
| Gymnasium | Emergency Shelter | 3/11〜8/05 |
| Gymnasium | Meeting to discuss emergency evacuation to high ground | Approx. once a month |
| Kitchen | Drinking water preparation Simple food preparation | 3/16〜4/18 |
| Shop | Storage for goods | 3/16〜4/18 |
| Lunch Room | Temporary clinic | 3/18〜6/30 |
| Clinic | Psychological care center | 4/14〜4/15 |
| Clinic | Legal advice | 4/17 |
| Multipurpose hall | Meeting of the association for a wood | 4/16 |
| Outside shelter | Mortuary | 3/13 3/14 |
| Outside shelter | Storage | 3/16〜8/05 |
| Campus field | Temporary housing | 8/05〜present |
７ Goals
The school is located about 70m above sea level, so we were safe from the tsunami, but the neighboring houses are all facing the Hirota Harbor. In case of future disaster, it will be important to look into a revised disaster preparedness training and program. Additionally, even as middle-schoolers, students were very responsive to the disaster and willing to help. We hope to foster the students' sense of community and love for their hometown.
Currently, there are temporary houses built in the fields of both the elementary and middle school. Therefore there is a restriction on the outside activities available to students. There was some preparation done in the old campus field (on the other side of the National Route) for student use but concerns have risen about the negative affects on student physical ability. Additionally, many families face financial hardships. Currently 46.2% are on financial aid. Before the disaster, this number was 0.
However, we think that there are some lessons that can only be taught because of a situation/experience like this. We hope to use the help we can receive wisely, and work to work with our neighboring communities to help grow student abilities and to build a strong-willed Koharagi(小原木)brand of students.