Deadly 6.7 earthquake shakes northern Japan, downpours to hinder rescue efforts

A magnitude 6.7 quake struck 70 miles south of Sapporo on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, at approximately 3:07 a.m. Thursday and was followed by a magnitude 5.3 quake less than 20 minutes later, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

(Image via USGS)

Residents of Hokkaido awoke to powerful shaking early Thursday morning as the quake caused numerous landslides and homes to collapse.

Dry weather will yield to rain in the next 24 hours which may hinder and delay some rescue and recovery efforts.

Early reports indicate at least nine fatalities due to the quake, while more than 30 people remain missing, according to The Japan Times. Many of the missing are believed to be trapped in collapsed buildings.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said around 300 additional injuries were reported across Hokkaido due to the earthquake.

People look at an area damaged by an earthquake in Sapporo in Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, Japan, in this photo taken September 6, 2018. (Kyodo/via REUTERS)

The earthquake initially knocked out power to around 3 million homes with many remaining without power into Thursday night.

Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko said that it could take more than a week to fully restore power to all areas.

The epicenter was 16 miles from the city of Chitose, home to Hokkaido's main airport and fifth busiest hub in Japan. A ceiling collapse and power outage resulted in closure of the airport for the entire day on Thursday.

Damaged roadways and landslides caused severe travel disruption on Thursday. Bullet train service was also affected.

No tsunami was reported following the earthquake.

Rain is forecast to overspread the hardest hit parts of Hokkaido from Friday into Saturday.

While rainfall totals are expected to be less than 12 mm (0.50 of an inch), any rainfall could hamper rescue and recovery efforts and could cause additional landslides.

Drier weather will return from Saturday afternoon into Sunday before additional rainfall is possible early next week.

People line up outside a supermarket due to rush to buy supplies after an earthquake, in Biei town, Hokkaido, northern Japan, Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Mika Takeda via AP)

Farther south, days of downpours will heighten the risk for flooding in the wake of former Typhoon Jebi.

The hardest hit areas will be across southwest and western Honshu where rainfall of 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) is expected with an AccuWeather StormMax™ of 300 mm (12 inches) from Friday into Monday.

These downpours will heighten the risk for flash flooding and mudslides and will hinder any recovery efforts that are continuing in the wake of Jebi.

Downpours will also impact the remainder of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu causing localized flooding and travel disruption. Areas hit hard by Jebi could be at a higher risk for mudslides from the upcoming downpours.