Earthquake/Tsunami

I am incredibly saddened over what is happening in Japan. I'm sure everyone is, too. I can't stop watching the news. I've donated money to the Red Cross, but I don't feel like that's enough. I wish I could do so much more. My thoughts and prayers are with the Japanese people in this difficult time. If I can donate more money, I will.
I was happy to see people being rescued earlier today, but there are still so many people missing.
When I woke up this morning, I turned on the TV and watched the news to see what happened while I was sleeping. They were talking about the coast of California (I live about an hour or so away from the coast), showing the water going backwards and forwards at the same time. I've never seen it do that before. It made me think of what I'd do if something like that happened here. I'd like to think that rescue would come quickly. But it took Louisiana so long to recover from Hurricane Katrina. I don't think California would be much different.

Does anyone know how the West Coast of Japan is doing? I have a friend who goes to Tottori University, but I am having trouble contacting him. I'm pretty sure he'd be okay, but I still wonder. I hope he's okay. He is one of my greatest friends.