Friday, March 11, 2011

Midway Tsunami

Just a quick word. Everyone here is ok. We had some washover on the runway and the airport was closed for a bit. Eastern island got about 60% washed over. I'll post some pictures tomorrow, unless I'm still digging out buried birds, then maybe Sunday. And the short-tailed albatross chick is ok for now.

17 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank god you all are okay. I wish we could do more to help.

Conn McConnell said...

Pete
My wife and I spent two years on beautiful Midway with the US Navy 1972 to 974. Our middle son was born there. We were talking to friends tonight about the tsunami drills we had on Midway but that we didn't ever had a real deal while there....we found your blog and were glad to know you and others there are okay after this event. The Goonies look the same of course, as does the harbor. We enjoyed perusing the status of the place now that the Navy has withdrawn....Conn104

Betty Siegel said...

Thanks for the update, Pete. Everyone here at AK Maritime is asking about the status of the staff and the albatross. So glad you're all OK.

Jaystar said...

You have no idea how many people have been madly looking for information about the staff and the albatross breeders this year. Thanks for posting the update, we are all breathing much easier. Photos of the short-tail chick alive and well would be muchly cheering!

Mahalao,

J* on Maui/past USFWS Interp. staff

Barb said...

HURRAYYYYYY!! Keeping fingers crossed for the baby STAL!!

All you hard-working Midway staff, volunteers & visitors should have seconds on dessert!!

Donna said...

Thanks for the update... lots of fans and supporters here in Hawaii thinking about you all.

When you get a chance give us a monk seal update if you have any information.

Mahalo
Donna
Hawaiian Monk Seal Resposne Team Oahu
www.monksealmania.blogspot.com

astromark said...

I was assigned to Midway Atoll with USFWS from 11/2019 to 07/2010 so I remember well the Tusnami activity we had during the Seismic events at Chile. I hope the loss of Ablatross chicks,especially the Black Foot's was not too high and that the Avain population as a whole recovers quickly.Did the Christmas Shear Waters that were nesting near the antena base survive? I hope to revisit Midway in the not too distant future.

Unknown said...

Best of Luck

Unknown said...

Good to hear you're all ok. Paul "Western Australia 2011"

Randi Brennon said...

I've been looking for updates on how our birds are doing after the tsunami. I'll check into your blog for more info. Thanks so much for keeping us informed!

I was lucky to be on Midway last summer with the PA'A group. I'm amazed at how much I still miss it! Blessings to you, enjoy!

Joe Van Os said...

Pete - I'll be out there in 3 weeks with groups. If there is anything we can do to help or bring let me know. My personal email is jvo@photosafaris.com. I'm currently in Bolivia and have limited internet access but will answer when I can. All the best, Joe Van Os Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris

Forest and Kim said...

Thanks for the update Pete.

Here's some Tsunami shots from Kanaha Beach, Maui.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/forest-and-kim/

Kim said...

So happy to hear the early news about the STAL but saddened by the significant loss of LAAL & BFAL. How did other birds fare? Stay safe and know there are many who appreciate the great work you and your team are doing out there.

Anonymous said...

I was wondering how the islands, people, and birds fared. Thanks for the update.

Paul Mckenzie said...

Like Joe, I will also be in Midway in a few weeks time. Thank you for the update and photos. Please keep them coming. At a very rough guess, what do you think was the fatality rate for the Laysan and Black-Footed population on 1)Sand Island and 2)Eastern Island? thx Paul

L A said...

Pete & Midway inhabitants,

Thank you for your updates and pictures, and glad to hear you are all ok.

Take care,

Luis Alvarez
former volunteer, Mitsubishi 2007

Unknown said...

I am so glad you are all ok, and my heart breaks for all those birds. I volunteered there in 2002, and wish I was able to come back and help out.