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The staff of the Half Moon Bay Review received a rude awakening the morning of Friday, March 11. A huge earthquake in Japan spawned a tsunami that was churning across the Pacific Ocean toward the coast of California.
Photographer Lars Howlett was the first to alert Managing Editor Clay Lambert of the pending threat. Howlett’s 5 a.m. text message was the first of dozens texts, e-mails and phone calls that became a full mobilization of the entire Review staff.
Advertising representatives Marilyn Johnson and Louise Strutner headed to area shelters and e-mailed in photos of the scene as San Mateo County residents literally headed away from the beach and for the hills. Publisher Debra Hershon was among the first to get to the downtown office. She fielded phone calls and helped deploy staff.
On the news side, Howlett and reporter Stacy Trevenon set up at Pillar Point Harbor, just north of town. They got photos, comments and a time-lapse “video” of what turned out to be a small surge as the waves rolled in. Reporter Lily Bixler headed south of town and reported back from Pescadero, where volunteers were going door to door to warn migrant farmworkers of the danger. Reporter Mark Noack took reports from City Hall and the ridgeline above town, where many went for a safe perch.
Lambert and Design Director Bill Murray initially updated the Web site from their homes to save time on the commute. By day’s end the staff had produced two-dozen informative tweets and at least a half-dozen Web updates.
To see the latest, visit www.hmbreview.com
