Three strong earthquakes shook Puerto Rico on Tuesday morning, damaging buildings, knocking out power after another strong earthquake less than 24 hours earlier. A magnitude 6.4 quake struck just before 4:30 a.m. local time Tuesday, off the coast of southwest Puerto Rico, about 8 miles wsw of Ponce. The quake was followed 10 minutes later by a magnitude 5.6 temblor and more than a dozen aftershocks. Another magnitude 5.6 quake shook the U.S. territory a little after 7:15 a.m. Since Dec. 28, hundreds of small earthquakes have occurred in Puerto Rico. The large quakes and more than 90 aftershocks triggered a nationwide power outage.
Download the PDF here Multiple Large Earthquakes, Puerto Rico, January 2020 (2).pdf
National Situation Report and Significant Updates
Significant Updates (most recent first)
Jan 7
- Puerto Rico Governor has declared a State of Emergency and activated the National Guard source
- SJU Airport is operating on generators following power outage caused by earthquakes source
- Landslide on PR-2 road leaves it impassable in Ponce source
- The Electric Power Authority reported an island-wide power outage. Víctor Huérfano, director of Puerto Rico’s Seismic Network, told The Associated Press that he does not have immediate reports of damage or injuries because communications are down for much of the island. source
- Facebook has activated their crisis response for the earthquake in Puerto Rico source
- Americares Emergency Response Team is assessing needs in Puerto Rico source
Jan 6
- Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced ordered all schools closed until January 13th in order to do proper inspections source
National and Regional Links
Puerto Rico State Website
- Website https://www.fortaleza.pr.gov/
- Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fortalezaproficial
- Twitter https://twitter.com/fortalezapr
Puerto Rico Emergency Management
- Website http://manejodeemergencias.pr.gov/
- Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pg/NMEADpr
- Twitter https://twitter.com/nmeadpr
Puerto Rico Department of Transportation
- Website https://www.dtop.pr.gov/
- Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dtop
- Twitter https://twitter.com/DTOP
Autoridad de Energia Electgrica
- Website https://aeepr.com/
- Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aeepronline/
- Twitter https://twitter.com/aeeonline
Water and Sewer
- Website https://www.acueductospr.com/index.html
- Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Acueductospr
- Twitter https://twitter.com/ACUEDUCTOSPR/
American Red Cross
- Website https://www.redcross.org/local/puerto-rico.html
- Twitter https://twitter.com/CruzRojaPR
- Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/CruzRojaPuertoRico/
Humanity Road
- Website: https://humanityroad.org
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/humanityroad
- Facebook https://www.facebook.com/humanityroad
Emergency Numbers
For life-threatening emergencies please call — 911
- If you are trapped in your home and need life-saving medications or procedures like dialysis or if you are disabled and need assistance getting to a shelter, please call — 911.
- Disaster Distress Helpline — 1-800-985-5990, TTY for deaf and hearing impaired — 1-800-846-8517.
- State Agency for Emergency Management: (787) 724-0124
- Medical emergencies: (787) 343-2550 or (787) 754-2550
- Firefighters: (787) 343-2330
- Electric Power Authority: (787) 289-3434
- Water and sewage Authority: (787) 620-2482
- Puerto Rico Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222
- Health Department: (787) 765-2929
Shelters and Evacuation Centers
- Penuelas – Jan 7 The Pentecostal Church of Korea opened as a refuge. Map source
- With the earthquake and continued seismic activity, we wanted to provide the following information related to currently open American Red Cross shelters. Please use this weblink to get the most current information should additional shelters be opened: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html
- Esc, Gloria Borrero, Carr. 132 Km 4.2 Bo. Marcana, Guayanilla, PR 00656
- Coliseo Mariano Tito Rodriguez, PR-116R, Guanica, PR 0065
Health and Hospitals
- Damas de Ponce Hospital reports all patients are properly treated and evacuated. Engineers are evaluating the infrastructure. source
- Hospitals in Medical Center are functioning normally. They are experiencing a shortage of staff due to their unknown situation. source
- San Juan Medical Center has power source
- Pavia Hospital of Yauco evacuated urgently ask for 15×40 tents with air conditioning source
Vulnerable Populations
Useful Links
- Puerto Rico Area Agency on Aging (AAA) / Governor’s Office for Elderly Affairs
- Puerto Rico: Public & Private Disability Resources (list of agencies)
- Puerto Rico Social Security Disability Offices
Power and Communications
- Claro: website, @clarotodo, facebook Updating on Facebook
- Open Mobile: website, @openmobilepr, facebook
- Sprint: website, @sprint pr, facebook
- T-Mobile: website, @tmobilepr, facebook
Status updates
Jan 7
- The Electric Power Authority reported an island-wide power outage. Víctor Huérfano, director of Puerto Rico’s Seismic Network, told The Associated Press that he does not have immediate reports of damage or injuries because communications are down for much of the island. source
- Claro: We have just activated the contingency plan to ensure continuity of service provision. Our Brigades are monitoring the network and we will inform any service affectation. We hope everyone is well. It is important to take the necessary measures to protect lives / property and keep calm while the situation is normalized. Communicate 24/7 with us through our social networks and chat. Access here to report situations: https://bit.ly/2KX9Am5 source
- Claro – Report downed wires 787-792-8484.
- Claro – Report service outages to 787-775-0000/*775
- Amateur Radio Via ARRL ARRL Puerto Rico Public Information Officer Angel Santana, WP3GW, Santana said VHF and UHF repeater systems having emergency power carried reports of power outages and other information. ARRL Puerto Rico Section Manager Oscar Resto, KP4RF, told ARRL that no Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) activations have been necessary, as commercial telecommunication systems remain functional. http://www.arrl.org/
- Video showing poles down Video
Transportation Roads / Bridges
Useful Links
- Puerto Rico Department of Transportation https://twitter.com/DTOP
Status
- Jan 7 Personnel are evaluating the safety aspect of different roads in the southern zone, after the tremor reported in the morning today.
Maritime / Shipping / Ports
Useful Links
Status
- Jan 7 The Coast Guard @USCG inspected the wharf facilities in Ceiba and determined that everything is in order, operation is running within the established schedule. #FF @TranspMaritimo #hmrd https://twitter.com/HumanityRoad/status/1214645322695266305
Water Systems
Useful Links
- Autoridad de Acueductos y Alacantarillados website http://acueductospr.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ACUEDUCTOSPR
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acueductospr
Status Update
- Puerto Rico governor says almost 300,000 homes and businesses are without water service source
Regional Situation Reports
Guanica (pop. 19,427) (17.971667, -66.908056)
Located on the south coast, territory mostly flat. It borders with Sabana Grande on the north, the Caribbean Sea on the south, Yauco on the east and Lajas on the west.
Website: None
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Municipio-de-Gu%C3%A1nica-120674641877056/
Twitter: None
- Damage to School in Guanica https://twitter.com/eddiemguerra/status/1214518139481927680
- Pictures of damages in Guanica https://www.facebook.com/moises.rodriguesz.1/posts/213873986289833
- 11 houses damaged in Guánica, 5 collapsed, 6 structural damage https://twitter.com/midnucas/status/1214242604843323392
- Guánica’s government center was damaged, as well as some schools https://twitter.com/midnucas/status/1214242604843323392
- – Two homes in Lajas and Cabo Rojo damaged—cracked walls, roof damage https://twitter.com/midnucas/status/1214242604843323392
Guayama (pop 84,214) (17.974167, -66.11)
Located on the Southern Coastal Valley region, bordering the Caribbean Sea, south of Cayey; east of Salinas; and west of Patillas and Arroyo. Guayama municipal territory reaches the central mountain range to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. The mountain systems Sierra de Jajome (2,395 feet or 730 meters) and Sierra de Cayey cover some of the municipality area. The highest points are the Cerro de la Tabla (2,834 feet or 863 meters) and Cerro Tumbado (2,450 feet or 746 meters), which are part of the Sierra de Cayey mountain system.
Website: None
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/municipiodeguayama/
Twitter: None
- List of emergency contact info https://www.facebook.com/LuisRodriguezPR/photos/a.313104199417097/553919455335569/?type=3&theater&ifg=1 Jan 6
- Pic of collapsed building in Guayama https://twitter.com/LastQuake/status/1214495461979152384?s=20 Jan 7
Guayanilla (pop. 21,581) (18.019167, -66.791944)
Located on the south coast. To the west it borders Yauco, Adjuntas to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the south and Peñuelas to the east. Central mountain range borders its North. In the Pasto and Jagua Pasto neighborhoods, it has heights that reach up to 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level. Towards its central part the relief descends remarkably.
Website https://www.linkedin.com/company/municipio-de-guayanilla/about/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MunGuayanilla/
Twitter: None
- Via Facebook From you or any family or neighbor need emotional help you can communicate to 18009810023 https://www.facebook.com/MunGuayanilla/
- Guayanilla – Video of structures collapsed in the area of after tremor source Jan 7
Penuelas (pop 1.422) 18.057062, -66.722642
Located in the southern coast of the island, south of Adjuntas, east of Guayanilla, west of Ponce and north of the Caribbean Sea. Peñuelas is spread over 12 wards and Peñuelas Pueblo
Website https://www.municipiodepenuelas.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/munpenuelas/
Twitter: None
- Jan 7 The Pentecostal Church of Korea opened as a refuge. Map
- Jan 7 Via Municipal de Penuelas – Please stay in a safe place. The streets are not safe at the moment, we are working on them but the tremors continue and the landslides continue. Source
- Jan 7 Damas de Ponce Hospital reports all patients are properly treated and evacuated. Engineers are evaluating the infrastructure. source
- Penuelas – Large boulders fell about 5:20am onto Highway #2 blocking the westbound lane from Poncé to Peñuelas https://twitter.com/Arod50051/status/1214517656155566080
Ponce (pop 445,000) 18.01087,-66.61393
Located in the southern coastal plain region of the island, south of Adjuntas, Utuado, and Jayuya; east of Peñuelas; west of Juana Díaz; and bordered on the south by the Caribbean Sea. The municipality has a total of 31 barrios (wards), including 19 outside the city’s urban area and 12 in the urban area of the city. The historic Ponce Pueblo district, located in the downtown area of the city, is shared by several of the downtown barrios, and is located approximately three miles (4.8 km) inland from the shores of the Caribbean
Website: http://visitponce.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPRPonce/
Twitter: None
- Puerto Rico Renal Council announced that four dialysis units in Ponce, one in Yauco and one in Lares will remain closed today. https://twitter.com/newsismybusines/status/1214616882189389825?s=12
- Police evacuated more than 150 people in Ponce including elderly from a nursing home because two buildings were in danger of collapsing https://twitter.com/danicacoto/status/1214545553691938817?s=12
Maps and Situational Awareness
- Gis Mapping of Evacuation Shelters https://gis.fema.gov/arcgis/rest/services/NSS/OpenShelters/MapServer
- Map of Earthquakes at USGS https://earthquake.usgs.gov/PR
Photos and Videos
- Guayanilla – Video of structures collapsed in the area of after tremor source Jan 7
- Penuelas – Photo Large boulders fell about 5:20am onto Highway #2 blocking the westbound lane from Poncé to Peñuelas source
- Guanico – Damage in Guanico https://www.facebook.com/moises.rodriguesz.1/posts/213873986289833