They didn't, the first report was we're going to have a meltdown if we don't get backup cooling running ASAP, we've lost our main backup.Stuart-says-yes said:Oh great, now another reactor is having a problem cooling down in Fukushima, well isn't this wonderful. Wouldn't it have been easier to say there was a problem in the first place instead of covering it up.
Or words to that effect.
sourceUtility TEPCO has requested the establishment of a nuclear emergency response programme for Fukushima Daiichi 1&3 and Fukushima Daini 1.
...
JAIF has reported that TEPCO sent the emergency report because emergency diesel generators at the two sites are out of order. (Nuclear power plants need power to operate pumps and other emergency equipment, including equipment to remove decay heat from the reactor.)
http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?sectioncode=132&storyCode=2059127