The massive tidal surge following the recent 8.9-magnitude earthquake in Japan today was filmed from a helicopter as it deluged a small coastal town. This footage is truly shocking, from the raging fires being carried along by the water, to the people racing away from the rushing water in their cars around the 1:25 mark in this video, to the people waving towels from the windows of their floating homes.

I heard from my friend near Tokyo that she and her family were shaken up by the quake, but that they’re currently safe. Thoughts and prayers with the people of Japan today, and all those who may yet be affected by the aftershocks and tidal waves.