American Families Try To Stay Safe In Japan
DENVER (CBS4) - The Red Cross is keeping up its relief efforts in Japan right now and American families in Japan are trying and stay safe.
The U.S. military has been bringing water in while American families are moving out of Japan with the help of the American Red Cross.
"It was a difficult decision for a lot of families. I know watching firsthand a lot of those goodbyes are not an easy decision for folks," Ken Romero said.
Visit CBSNews.com for the latest on the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Romero, of Brighton, works for the American Red Cross assisting military families near Tokyo. More than 500 family members flew into Denver on Thursday and Friday. As Romero explained via Skype to CBS4's Howard Nathan, their voluntary evacuation helps the Japanese.
"Some of the food is tainted, so obviously it's not available for purchase, but with fewer families, there will be more resources; also less consumption of energy in the area," he said.
Radiation from an earthquake-damaged nuclear power plant is still a concern, but there is positive news.
"We've just gotten the thumbs up by the military here on Zama that we can drink the tap water again," Romero said. "There still is the concern and I know the U.S. military in our area is testing every three hours."
Meanwhile, memories of the earthquake remain.
"I was watching the cars shake back and forth and I was anxious to go get my kids."
He would find his 7-year-old son with his classmates, wearing seat cushions for protection.
As for military families leaving, that'll continue next week.
"As long as U.S. military families are anxious to go home, or if they've had second thoughts, the U.S. will support them and that change of heart."
Right now the death toll is now topping the 10,000 mark. So far there are more than 17,000 people missing.
Link: Ways To Help
