[MADBMWX5MC]

I was there when the 6.5 Magnitude earthquake shook the island. While I was only about 40 miles east of the epicenter--where I was, we had no significant structural damage and no one got hurt.

I have never experienced a 6.5 Mag before...4.6 Mag and under, yes, but no 6.5.

Two things I will never forget: the crazy shaking of EVERYTHING around you AND....the noise that came with it. Mother nature crunching them tectonic plates underneath you....it sounded like waiting for the metro/train while you are inside a tunnel. Some scary crap.

[Rmtt]

I've experienced one that was in the high 4's one time while traveling. That was plenty enough for me to know I didn't like it.

I can't imagine a 6.5!

[MADBMWX5MC]

Not to mention, they have had over 2,000 aftershock after the 6.5 Mag.

100 of them 24 hrs after the main one....ranging from barely noticeable to a 5.0 Mag.

Luckily, the aftershocks are going down...6 thus far today. I keep track as I have family there.

[King Rudi]

I've only experienced one earthquake. Well, aside from the small one we had Monday about 30 miles away that was a 2.5, that I didn't even notice. Two years ago around 3 a.m. we experienced a 4.4. Windows and dishes rattled a little. Felt and sounded like there was a sub woofer under my bed accompanied by what sounded like a jack-hammer. It was pretty surreal. 6.5, I couldn't imagine.

[KennyFSU]

Glad you're ok.

I always thought experiencing an earthquake while in the middle of nowhere where nothing can crush you or swallow you alive would be kind of fun. But maybe not.

[HFW003]

We had a 5.6 back in 1989 which did quite a bit of damage to our city and killed some people.

I still remember the shaking and sound like it happened yesterday!

[RKM]

7.5 centered about 50 miles away some 30 years ago.

[UncleWede]

What I can't imagine are those one up in Alaska, close to 9, that LAST FOR 1-2 MINUTES.

Loma Prieto, Northridge, Ridgecrest lived thru those, mid 6s. Remember, .1 higher is 10x more powerful.

[TXSTYLE]

Originally Posted by MADBMWX3

I was there when the 6.5 Magnitude earthquake shook the island. While I was only about 40 miles east of the epicenter--where I was, we had no significant structural damage and no one got hurt.

I have never experienced a 6.5 Mag before...4.6 Mag and under, yes, but no 6.5.

Two things I will never forget: the crazy shaking of EVERYTHING around you AND....the noise that came with it. Mother nature crunching them tectonic plates underneath you....it sounded like waiting for the metro/train while you are inside a tunnel. Some scary crap.

Glad you all were safe. Question: We are considering returning possibly this Summer, since way before the devastating Hurricane. How is everything? Safety of Food, Water, Buildings, and general way of Life there now?

[upstatedoc]

well there is a local restaurant here that also has a site near Rincon PR. looks like it is shut down. google search Horned Dorset Primavera. it's spooky

[MADBMWX5MC]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

Glad you all were safe. Question: We are considering returning possibly this Summer, since way before the devastating Hurricane. How is everything? Safety of Food, Water, Buildings, and general way of Life there now?

I assume you are referring to the earthquake vs hurricane..since..yes, we did have a hurricane in 2017 and it destroyed a lot back then. But I traveled multiple times to Puerto Rico between 2018 and 2019 and the island was back to 99.99% for the most part.

So, to your question. How is everything? No short answer. Unlike Hurricane Maria that impacted 100% of the island--that's not the case with the earthquake. Strangely enough and due to the nature of the tectonic plate in the area, the earthquake only affected the Southwest side of the island. Out of 78 cities in PR, only about 10-15 got affected. Severely to moderately damaged about 5-6 cities of those. The bad news is most of the beautiful beaches are in that area. The good news, is that we have other beautiful beaches in other areas:

I was there from Dec 29 - Jan 14, 2020. The earthquake happened on Jan 7. I stayed put (didn't travel around) until around Jan 10. Then after that, I went to the beach, visited the area and resumed normal activities. Of course not the case for those near the affected area. If you have additional questions....please feel free to PM me. I will be more than glad to give you the ground truth. If you want, tell me where you are going to stay (city) and what you plan to see (areas) and I will ask my family for a status update. Both, my wife and I have family there...and we are in daily comms with them.

[MADBMWX5MC]

Originally Posted by upstatedoc

well there is a local restaurant here that also has a site near Rincon PR. looks like it is shut down. google search Horned Dorset Primavera. it's spooky

True that...Rincon, Guanica, Cabo Rojo, Penuelas, Guayanilla -- some of the towns with the most damage.

[TXSTYLE]

Originally Posted by MADBMWX3

I assume you are referring to the earthquake vs hurricane..since..yes, we did have a hurricane in 2017 and it destroyed a lot back then. But I traveled multiple times to Puerto Rico between 2018 and 2019 and the island was back to 99.99% for the most part.

So, to your question. How is everything? No short answer. Unlike Hurricane Maria that impacted 100% of the island--that's not the case with the earthquake. Strangely enough and due to the nature of the tectonic plate in the area, the earthquake only affected the Southwest side of the island. Out of 78 cities in PR, only about 10-15 got affected. Severely to moderately damaged about 5-6 cities of those. The bad news is most of the beautiful beaches are in that area. The good news, is that we have other beautiful beaches in other areas:

I was there from Dec 29 - Jan 14, 2020. The earthquake happened on Jan 7. I stayed put (didn't travel around) until around Jan 10. Then after that, I went to the beach, visited the area and resumed normal activities. Of course not the case for those near the affected area. If you have additional questions....please feel free to PM me. I will be more than glad to give you the ground truth. If you want, tell me where you are going to stay (city) and what you plan to see (areas) and I will ask my family for a status update. Both, my wife and I have family there...and we are in daily comms with them.

That's really good to hear. And I will reach out to you for additional details.

[MADBMWX5MC]

Holy cow, 7.7 off Jamaica coast..Lord Have Mercy.

[bmw-again]

I was just in Roatan Honduras couple days before this. Glad we were not there when it hit. Wonder if they had any damage there?

[MADBMWX5MC]

News report of damage appears to have faded away -- interestingly enough. We have heard anything from Honduras, a bit of Jamaical--nothing on Cuba.

[floridaorange]

I was just in St Lucia and there was lots of talk about the fault lines and plates shifting so much lately.
What Haiti has been through as well, is so sad. I've only been to PR once and it was only a half day layover, but people sure seemed to know how to party there.

[MADBMWX5MC]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

I was just in St Lucia and there was lots of talk about the flatlines and plates shifting so much lately.
What Haiti has been through as well, is so sad. I've only been to PR once and it was only a half day layover, but people sure seemed to know how to party there.

How did you like St. Lucia? We are planning a vacation for later on...

[floridaorange]

It was really beautiful there, amazing views and nice locals. It's got volcanos and rainforests, we stayed at St James Club Bay Resort.

The water there on the island at our resort was the freshest best tap water I have ever had. Amazing food, super farm fresh...

There's a French Island 60 miles off the coast that has peaked my interest - definitely check it out - https://instagram.com/martiniquetour...=1c0olnkmvkjc7 (Martinique)

There are two airports in St Lucia, try to fly in to the airport closer to your hotel - the drivers drive fast and it's a bit of a wild ride due to the mountains and all the turns. One side of the island is calm small waves, the other side is ferocious waves and cliffs like I had never seen before, worth going to see while there!

The other trip I've done not far from their was staying on a catamaran with The Moorings - in the British Virgin Islands - Tortola. That was incredible and I hope to go back.

If you want an amazing resort and beach - and not loads of adventure - Punta Cana - Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe - get the club premium upgrade! The weather in Punta Cana is incredible.

[MADBMWX5MC]

^ Thanks, lots of good info there.