Got an Insta-gram from my daughter Sammy last night around 8:30
"Hey Fam! Your are probably going to hear about an earthquake that we had here, either on the news or Facebook. Just wanna let you know that me and the whole family are okay. There have been 30+ reported deaths in Guayaquil, and people trapped under the rubble. Quito had less impact. Just some powerlines out."
GLAD to see she/they are OK and were able to communicate that so quickly.
John D said
Apr 18, 2016
"Skype'd" with Sammy last night, and got some more details. (We get the inside scoop quickly, as Dome' has both an aunt & uncle (high-ranking officers) in the Ecuadorian Navy and Army)
Death toll is nearing 300, with that+ on the missing list. They're still digging through the rubble. I guess the authorities had to get on loudspeakers and tell the public to STFU, quit wailing/screaming/crying so the rescuers could HEAR a possible victim!
Dome' was on his way to a meeting in Quito when the quake hit. He was stopped at a traffic light, and actually thought something went wrong with the car! It started bucking and shaking and until he saw the buildings moving he didn't know it was an earthquake.
Sammy was home at their apartment. When the dishes started rattling and the furniture moving around she got freaked out. She caught the TV as it vibrated off the table!
They didn't have any damage at their place. It's a relatively modern building (late '90s), and built to earthquake/volcanic activity specs. The places in Guayaquil and near the coast aren't so lucky. Many pretty much pancaked.
Telephone service completely crashed for several hours due to overload. Social media outlets and cell/satellite phones really saved the day. Facebook has a very neat "Check In We're Safe" feature that all of the family used, and everyone on the our friends list(s) was immediately "pinged" that a member checked in safe.
The citizens of Quito have set up a donations area in the big city park near Sammy's apartment. The stores were cleaned out of bottled water and staple/dry-goods, and residents were walking it down to the park, along with clothing and other necessities. She's guessing the Army will be trucking it down to the sites.
That's about all we know for now. I'm just glad they're safe!
ron fuller said
Apr 19, 2016
Me too. thanks for the update John.
BLyke said
Apr 21, 2016
glad they are okay and she could let you know that so soon after the quake.
John D said
May 18, 2016
Got a message from Sammy at 0300. They got rattled out of bed by another quake! Same area by the coast, preliminary sensor says 6.8. They (and the family) are OK.
John D said
May 18, 2016
Just got this from Sam...
Just had another aftershock. I was in the middle of teaching. Nothing intense but it scared the kids really bad
Got an Insta-gram from my daughter Sammy last night around 8:30
"Hey Fam! Your are probably going to hear about an earthquake that we had here, either on the news or Facebook. Just wanna let you know that me and the whole family are okay. There have been 30+ reported deaths in Guayaquil, and people trapped under the rubble. Quito had less impact. Just some powerlines out."
NBC news
map
GLAD to see she/they are OK and were able to communicate that so quickly.
Death toll is nearing 300, with that+ on the missing list. They're still digging through the rubble. I guess the authorities had to get on loudspeakers and tell the public to STFU, quit wailing/screaming/crying so the rescuers could HEAR a possible victim!
Dome' was on his way to a meeting in Quito when the quake hit. He was stopped at a traffic light, and actually thought something went wrong with the car! It started bucking and shaking and until he saw the buildings moving he didn't know it was an earthquake.
Sammy was home at their apartment. When the dishes started rattling and the furniture moving around she got freaked out. She caught the TV as it vibrated off the table!
They didn't have any damage at their place. It's a relatively modern building (late '90s), and built to earthquake/volcanic activity specs. The places in Guayaquil and near the coast aren't so lucky. Many pretty much pancaked.
Telephone service completely crashed for several hours due to overload. Social media outlets and cell/satellite phones really saved the day. Facebook has a very neat "Check In We're Safe" feature that all of the family used, and everyone on the our friends list(s) was immediately "pinged" that a member checked in safe.
The citizens of Quito have set up a donations area in the big city park near Sammy's apartment. The stores were cleaned out of bottled water and staple/dry-goods, and residents were walking it down to the park, along with clothing and other necessities. She's guessing the Army will be trucking it down to the sites.
That's about all we know for now. I'm just glad they're safe!
Just had another aftershock. I was in the middle of teaching. Nothing intense but it scared the kids really bad