Rescue helicopters

Rescue helicopter

The sights and sounds of helicopters flying overhead going to or from earthquake rescue sites have become all-too-familiar these past few days.  They evoke painful memories of the last time I heard those same whirring, clacking sounds.  In 1967, I was living in Ft. Knox, Kentucky during the Vietnam War.  Each day, helicopters in the 101st Airborne Division would fly over as they went to and from their practice maneuvers.  One day, they stopped flying over altogether.  Today, like then, I am overcome with a sense of profound grief and sadness with each chopping sound.

Earthquake update

According to several news sources, the latest information is that 8 people have died, 300 are injured and dozens are still stranded. Helicopters are being used to try to find and assist people who are injured or cut off by landslides and impassable roads and bridges. While some of yesterday’s after shocks registered 4 on the Richter scale, today’s are somewhat weakened. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the strength of the quake was not 6.2, but 6.5 on the Richter scale. This is the worst quake in over 150 years in Costa Rica and the president has declared the situation a national disaster. Since this is high tourist season and the area of the earthquake (Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfall and Vara Blanca) is on every tourist’s “must see” list, it may be some time before it is known how many people are directly involved. Clean up will take weeks, if not months, due to the extensive damage and limited resources of the Costa Rican government.

Whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on – earthquake!

Today’s 1:21 pm earthquake, reportedly 6.2 on the Richter scale and lasting about 20 seconds, has left people homeless, roads impassable, towns inaccessible, bridges unsafe, landslides, buckled roads, flooding (due to a cracked dam), downed electric lines, household furnishings destroyed, shattered windows, broken pipes and, sadly, 3 people dead (2 young sisters and a woman). Following the initial quake, strong aftershocks were felt on and off for several hours, forcing frightened people to remain outdoors, some even planning to spend the night in tents. Friends have reported having to crawl out of their houses, losing TV sets, cars being on 2 wheels, ocean-like waves on their swimming pool, having walls collapse in their homes, electricity going out, tiles falling off roofs, china crashing to the floor, etc. I was standing talking on the phone when it hit and was thrown onto a chair and the phone went out. Pots and pans banged in the kitchen, closet and cupboard doors swung open, pictures on a bookshelf fell over, the floor felt like it was rolling, boards in the wooden ceiling creaked and my cats ran frantically from room to room. In the aftermath, car alarms were sounding off, people were standing in the street and dogs were barking. Hopefully, we have seen the end of this. No doubt, tomorrow there will be more information available in the news. My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes, belongings or loved ones.