As you have probably heard by now, a massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami have left Japan in absolute disarray. There are more than 700,000 refugees from the east coast of the country who are seeking shelter in makeshift areas, according to St. Louis Today:
“It is a predicament shared by tens of thousands across northern Japan. In stricken communities like this one, tsunami refugees have gathered in hundreds of schools, hospitals and public gyms that have been converted into makeshift shelters. In Ofunato, with a population of 41,000, there are 61 such shelters housing 8,437 people, according to city officials.
The residents of these shelters often live in desperate and primitive conditions with little more than a roof over their heads. They have endured days of living in the dark and cold, an ordeal made even worse Wednesday as a winter storm brought heavy snow and below-freezing temperatures to many devastated areas.”
In the months that follow, there will certainly be a need for portable shelters in Japan. As the water flows back into the oceans and rivers, homes will be hard to come by, seeing as thousands will have to be rebuilt. Also, with the uncertainty concerning nuclear reactors and radiation, many people will have to make do with portable buildings and portable shelters where they have ended up.
Note for portable building owners – As the snow continues to melt over the next few weeks, make sure that you clear as much errant ice and snow away from the tops of any canopies or portable garages that you may have. Large pools of water can be quite destructive and also dangerous for people around any portable building.