I don't really think that we realise how hard nature can strike sometimes , even with a warning it would be almost impossible to evacuate all areas.
The toll is now believed to top 20,000 and there are fears it will just continue to grow , the only thing that can be done now is to alleviate the suffering a little for those left behind.

In time we may devise ways to protect ourselves but we all crumble when confronted with nature at it's most devastating.