Earthquake, Tsunami Impact Uncertain in Temecula’s Sister City

Amid the chaos, geologists were unable to get information on the effect of the earthquake and tsunami on Temecula’s Japanese sister city today.

“We don’t have a lot of information to share,” said Susan Garcia of the U.S. Geological Survey. “Basically, we’re waiting.”

The U.S. Geological Survey collaborated with geological organizations in Japan to get information on the recent earthquake, but they had no news this afternoon about Daisen-Nakayama.

The city sits on the southwestern end of the island nation, and the 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck at 9:46 p.m. Thursday off the northeastern shore, according to geologists.

At least one Daisen-Nakayama residents reported no damage or impact on the city, said Robin Gilliland, the liaison between the City of Temecula and the Temecula Sister City Association.

“They said they’re fine. They didn’t even feel it,” she said, reading an e-mail she got from one of the association’s contact people in Daisen-Nakayama.

The city sits on the Sea of Japan, so the body of the island likely sheltered it from the tsunami, the Japanese contact said.

Residents of the northeast corner of the island weren't so lucky. The Habitat for Humanity was gearing up today for a rebuilding effort, according to its website. To donate, click here.

Temecula runs an exchange program with the city that sends several Margarita Middle School students and a few chaperones to Daisen-Nakayama and welcomes a few Nakayama Middle School students into host homes in Temecula.

A trip was scheduled for spring break, 2011, according to the Temecula Sister City Association’s website.

Geologists expected the earthquake to send swells of ocean water to the beach. They were expected to be between 1 to 3 feet tall and keep coming until this afternoon in Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego counties. A tsunami warning was in effect this afternoon.

Daisen-Nakayama is a town of 7,000 people that was two cities until they merged in 2005.

Temecula has another sister city, Leidschendam-Voorburg, in the Netherlands. The Temecula Sister City Association was established in 1992. For more information on the Temecula Sister City Association, click here.