GUANICA, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico’s electrical grid is slowly going back in service on Wednesday, after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake forced shutdowns in the southern region leaving more than two-thirds of the island without power.
According to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, which serves about 1.5 million customers, service was restored to about half a million customers. Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vazquez traveled to the Costa Sur Power Plant Complex in the coastal municipality of Guayanilla to inspect the damage.
In the coastal town of Guánica, “We are confronting a crisis worse than Hurricane Maria,” Mayor Santos Seda told the Associated Press, while referring to the 2017 storm that devastated the island. “I am asking for empathy from the federal government.”
La prioridad de nuestra Gobernadora, @wandavazquezg es la seguridad de nuestra gente. El equipo de la #ODSEC con su DE, @JesusVelezPR, llega a Guánica para continuar brindando apoyo en el refugio, como parte de los esfuerzos del Gobierno Central. #ComprometidosConPR pic.twitter.com/vt3uUMJmVa
— ODSEC (@ODSECPR) January 7, 2020
The earthquake left at least one person dead and nine injured. Vazquez activated the National Guard and closed public schools during the search and rescue phase. Members of USAR South Florida Task Force 2 left Miami International Airport on Tuesday night to join the efforts in Puerto Rico.
According to the U.S. Geological Service, there have been 32 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater since Dec. 28, including the 5.8 magnitude earthquake on Jan. 6 and the strong quake and aftershocks on Tuesday. Seismologists estimate that over the next week there is a low chance of more aftershocks that are stronger than Tuesday’s quake.
Officials say there are more than 200 people at this makeshift shelter in Guánica, Puerto Rico. Many tell me they’re afraid to return home after a 6.4 magnitude and several strong aftershocks. pic.twitter.com/oWqTTMnRg4
— Victor Oquendo (@VictorOquendo) January 7, 2020