Southern municipalities are reviewing their emergency plans in the face of new earthquakes in the midst of a pandemic

Faced with a new series of tremors reported in Puerto Rico with its epicenter in the southern area, the mayors of the area reiterated this afternoon a call to the public to review their family emergency plans and have a bump ready with the essential material, including a mask and hand sanitizer, given the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In general, no damage has been reported so far. We have already reviewed our emergency plans, we are on alert, ready in case an event occurs.”, Said Joan Pau Rivera, Director of Emergency Management of the Municipality of Peñuelas, in statements to The New Day. Rivera has indicated that his work team is already in communication with operators of machinery and personnel of Public Works, as well as rescuers and essential workers in case a situation of greater impact arises.

Two earthquakes of preliminary magnitude 4.8 and 4.69, approximately 47 minutes apart, were recorded this afternoon in Puerto Rico, the Seismic Network confirmed. No tsunami warning or warning was issued. The first earthquake took place at 12:46 pm and was of magnitude 4.8, with its epicenter 12.91 kilometers south of Guayanilla, near the seismic zone where earthquakes have been generated since last year. The depth of the quake, according to the Puerto Rico Seismic Network, was 2 kilometers.

The second tremor, reported at 01:33 pm, was of magnitude 4.69 and had its epicenter, preliminarily, between Guayanilla and Peñuelas, also about 2 kilometers deep.

“The reality is that there is a lot of fear among the citizens, what we insist on is the preparation, their backpack, their family emergency plan, we are available to guide them and get them ready, to include the mask and everything what is necessary before COVID “, Rivera said, while indicating that the mayor of Peñuelas, Gregory Gonzáez, remained attentive to the situation and in communication with the work team.

In Guayanilla, Emergency Management personnel have also been keeping an eye on the situation since the early hours of the morning, said the town’s spokesman, Glidden López, after some slight tremors were reported.

“Already in the afternoon with what happened (the most intense tremors), they made a tour of all the residences and buildings in danger of collapsing (after the earthquakes of January this year). no additional damage or calls from people receiving damage to their residence “, Reported Lopez.

The spokesman added that the Emergency Management staff will work extended hours today, after 11pm, in the face of any situation that may occur. López also reported that the interim mayor of Guayanilla, Johnari Pagán, has communicated with the elected mayor Raúl Rivera, who is already at the target of all established emergency plans. He also reported that Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced contacted Nelson Torres, who resigned as mayor on December 15, although he remains alert to the situation.

López explained that Emergency Management has staff trained with emergency packages in the different communities, in the event of any eventuality, and that in the event of a major emergency, residents can go to any of the sports parks identified as meeting points. The spokesman indicated that municipal staff would be serving the public in various parks, as part of the plan that seeks to prevent congestion and contagion by COVID-19.

“The call to the public is that these sites be used only if a greater emergency arises,” he argued. “If someone arrives in fear at the ball parks right now, Emergency Way personnel will continue to give rounds to guide them and keep their family plans up to date,” he said.