Onagawa
Onagawa
Onagawa experience some of the highest waves and flooding during the 2011 tsunami. Because of the narrow inlet to the bay, the water built up to over 57 feet (17.5m) in the center of the town. In 2019 we stood at the parking lot of the Onagawa Hospital, some 50 feet above the bay. The inundation here reached another 7 feet (2.1m) above the parking lot and flooded the hospital. Rather than build seawalls, the city decided to move all residences up into the hills and only permit business and industrial uses at sea level.
Shortly after the tsunami
Looking from the hospital parking lot, 50 feet (15.25 m) above the harbor
Level of flooding at the hospital
Map of inundation and run-up height of the water in 2011