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6.4-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Puerto Rico, Knocking Out Power 6.4-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Puerto Rico, Leaving At Least One Dead
(about 2 hours later)
MIAMI — A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Puerto Rico on Tuesday, the strongest tremor yet in a week of heavy seismic activity in the area. It knocked out power to much of the island. MIAMI — The strongest tremor yet in a week of heavy seismic activity rocked Puerto Rico early on Tuesday morning, knocking out power to much of the island, seriously damaging homes and buildings and leaving at least one person dead.
The quake, which struck five miles southwest of Tallaboa on Puerto Rico’s southwestern coast, was recorded at 4:24 a.m. local time, according to the United States Geological Survey. The 6.4-magnitude quake, which struck five miles southwest of Tallaboa on Puerto Rico’s southwestern coast, was recorded at 4:24 a.m. local time, according to the United States Geological Survey. It was the second consecutive day that an earthquake hit the island before dawn, terrifying residents scared about the cumulative effect on older buildings that may be unsafe.
The full scope of the damage was not immediately known. A 73-year-old man died in the city of Ponce after a wall fell on him, reported El Nuevo Día, Puerto Rico’s largest newspaper, citing local police. Nelson Martínez Guillén, 73, died in the city of Ponce after a wall fell on him, Mayor Mayita Meléndez said. Another woman suffered a broke leg after she was pinned under a wall.
“The people are scared,” Ms. Meléndez said. “There are homes that are totally destroyed.”
Tremors keep moving through the region and people living near the beaches are desperate to get out of their homes for fear of tsunamis, she said.
“It’s not safe,” Ms. Melendez said. “The earth is moving constantly.”
A 60-year-old city employee begged for help from the mainland.
Reynaldo González, the late Mr. Martínez’s nephew, told local news media that the apartment, in the Jardines del Caribe neighborhood, was undergoing construction work, and the bathroom wall next to Mr. Martínez’s bed collapsed on him as he was apparently getting up, Mr. Gónzalez told WAPA Radio.
“We heard a roar” at the time of the quake, Mr. González said, but it was not until later, when his father called out to Mr. Martínez, that they realized what had happened.
Widespread power outages were reported, including in San Juan, the capital. The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority said all of its power plants had gone offline after its “auto protection” systems had been activated. The utility reported damage to one of its main plants near the earthquake’s epicenter but said it hoped to restore electricity elsewhere later on Tuesday.Widespread power outages were reported, including in San Juan, the capital. The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority said all of its power plants had gone offline after its “auto protection” systems had been activated. The utility reported damage to one of its main plants near the earthquake’s epicenter but said it hoped to restore electricity elsewhere later on Tuesday.
The United States National Tsunami Warning Center said there was no related tsunami threat. The local authorities initially issued a tsunami watch before canceling it, according to Puerto Rico’s emergency management agency.The United States National Tsunami Warning Center said there was no related tsunami threat. The local authorities initially issued a tsunami watch before canceling it, according to Puerto Rico’s emergency management agency.
The quake’s magnitude was initially reported as 6.6 and later downgraded. Three strong aftershocks with preliminary estimates of 5.6, 5.2 and 4.5 magnitude followed the big quake. A bigger aftershock, of 5.8 magnitude, hit at 7:18 a.m. local time.The quake’s magnitude was initially reported as 6.6 and later downgraded. Three strong aftershocks with preliminary estimates of 5.6, 5.2 and 4.5 magnitude followed the big quake. A bigger aftershock, of 5.8 magnitude, hit at 7:18 a.m. local time.
Gov. Wanda Vázquez excused nonessential public employees from work for the day. Gov. Wanda Vázquez excused nonessential public employees from work for the day. Mayor Nelson Torres Yordán of Guayanilla said on the radio that there was a lot of fear on the streets. “There’s hysteria,” he told a local television station.
Mayor Ángel Torres of Yauco, a southwestern town, said on the radio that several homes in his municipality had been damaged by the quake. Mayor Nelson Torres Yordán of Guayanilla, another town, described damage to a Catholic church and said there was a lot of fear on the streets. “There’s hysteria,” he told a local television station. The Immaculate Conception church in the center of town partially collapsed. The Rev. Melvin Díaz Aponte said both bell towers crumbled. The nave stands, but it is fragile, he explained. A member of the congregation interrupted him. Then another aftershock.
Photos and videos on social media showed some Puerto Ricans running out of their homes before dawn after being shaken awake by the quake. Officials urged people to stay calm and remain at home, but many people still got into their cars and drove to higher ground, prompting unusually heavy traffic in some areas in the dark. Many homes and buildings in southern coastal towns appeared damaged. “We will rebuild,” he reassured the woman.
Television footage showed hospital patients, some of them in wheelchairs, being evacuated to a parking lot in the city of Ponce. Patients at Hospital Damas were going back into the building when the biggest aftershock hit, forcing them to evacuate again, the NotiCentro television station reported. “For those who have lived here their whole lives, this is their history,” Father Díaz said. “Their sacraments, their wedding.”
Puerto Ricans ran out of their homes before dawn after being shaken awake by the quake. Officials urged people to stay calm and remain at home, but many people still got into their cars and drove to higher ground, prompting unusually heavy traffic in some areas in the dark. Many homes and buildings in southern coastal towns partially crumbled or sustained serious damage.
Hospital patients, some of them in wheelchairs, were evacuated to a parking lot in the city of Ponce. Patients at Hospital Damas were going back into the building when the biggest aftershock hit, forcing them to evacuate again, the NotiCentro television station reported.
On Monday, a 5.8-magnitude quake and aftershocks terrified residents, leveled homes and destroyed a well-known natural rock formation. Smaller tremors have been occurring since the night of Dec. 28-29, all clustered in the same offshore area.On Monday, a 5.8-magnitude quake and aftershocks terrified residents, leveled homes and destroyed a well-known natural rock formation. Smaller tremors have been occurring since the night of Dec. 28-29, all clustered in the same offshore area.
Patricia Mazzei reported from Miami, and Maria Cramer from New York. Daniel Victor contributed reporting from Hong Kong.