A strong tremor rocked Puerto Rico early Tuesday seriously damaging homes and buildings. The earthquake triggered an automated shut down of all the electricity, leaving much of the island without power. The first quake was followed 10 minutes later by another slightly weaker event, and then multiple aftershocks. Today’s quakes are part of about 50 seismic events arising just off the coast of southwest Puerto Rico since December 28.
The American Red Cross is working with island authorities and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to understand the extent of the damage and identify immediate needs. There are unconfirmed reports of dozens of homes damaged in the municipality of Yauco and road damage leading into Ponce, the 2nd largest city in Puerto Rico. The repeated quakes coupled with power loss is traumatic for communities still recovering from Hurricanes Maria and Irma.
The Red Cross has identified Spanish-speaking disaster mental health workers, emergency supply distribution managers, logisticians, caseworkers, and operations management staff that are on alert to respond in support of the local Red Cross team. The local government operates shelters in Puerto Rico and had one shelter with 10 people overnight as a result of Monday’s quake.
RECONNECT WITH LOVED ONES The Red Cross has two easy ways to help people reconnect. The Red Cross Emergency App features an “I’m Safe” button that allows users to post a message to their social accounts to let friends and family know that they are out of harm’s way. The Red Cross also offers the Safe and Well website, safeandwell.org, which is a private and more secure option. It allows people to list their own status by customizing a message for their loved ones or selecting pre-scripted messages.
RED CROSS APPS Download the Red Cross Emergency App. You can use the app’s Family Safe feature to help stay in touch with loved ones. The First Aid App provides expert advice including what to do for burns, broken bones, and breathing and cardiac emergencies. The apps can be downloaded for free in app stores or at redcross.org/apps
HOW YOU CAN HELP You can help people affected by disasters like earthquakes and countless other crises by making a donation to support Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Thought we had one this morning. But it was Ma slamming the back door. Second thought was someone ran into the house. I never get up to investigate because there must be an attitude involved. Not goin' there!
Earthquake Near Iran-Iraq Border Kills 414, Injures 6,500
At least 414 people were killed and almost 6,500 others injured after a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck near Iran's border with Iraq, authorities said Monday.
Rescuers were trying to find survivors trapped under collapsed buildings but their efforts were hindered in many places by landslides. More than 100 aftershocks were registered, according to Iranian officials.
Many houses in rural areas of Iran are made of mud bricks that can crumble easily in a quake.
Iranian authorities said the quake killed 407 people with at least 5,953 were injured. Iraq's Interior Ministry confirmed that seven people in the neighboring country were killed by the quake, with 535 people wounded.
Red alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread. Past red alerts have required a national or international response.
