University Of Delaware's Disaster Research Head Set To Aid Japan Following 'Catastrophe'
NEWARK, Del. (CBS) -- The images coming out of Japan are startling and overwhelming even to a world leader in disaster response.
"We also see there is fire on the debris that is floating on the water," said Dr. James Kendra, President of the Disaster Research Center at the University of Delaware.
Chances are emergency plans being used right now in Japan, at least in part, came from Dr. Kendra's extensive library or an alumnus.
"Much of what we see in a situation like this really does go to the very limit of the science of managing disasters," Dr. Kendra said.
He contends what makes the situation in Japan so extraordinarily complex is the vast number of disasters that are unfolding simultaneously.
"We're looking at earthquake, tsunami, infrastructure damage, questions about the safety of at least one nuclear plant, fires, landslides," he said.
"That kind of infrastructure damage is going to limit the ability of help from outside areas," Kendra said.
Kendra is organizing a trip to Japan in the coming days.
He's already reached out to colleagues on the island nation, and is waiting to hear back from them.
He says calling what is happening there 'a disaster' simply is not good enough.
"A researcher always wants more information, but from my perspective, I'm comfortable I think at this point looking at this as a catastrophe," Kendra said.
Reported by Todd Quinones, CBS 3
