Mexico./US border quakes - please post updates here

[Liberty Belle]

I'm an editor in San Diego's East County seeking updates on quake damage in our region - lots of new aftershocks here during the night, including two 5.1 rollers. Would like photos with reprint permission from Mexico, SD and Imperial Counties, stories of any damage not already widely reported, and interviews with any experts on seismology or volcanology (since epicenter of the big quake was at a dormant volcano).

Could also use translators for the Mexican media stories.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. here you go, ah scooping the Media again

Listening to a report from Mexicali.

They just had a press conference, they confirmed the arrival of the President of Mexico to declare the city disaster zone for federal support, and they are moving people. Oh and Iztecalli and General Hospital in Tijuana have damage and have been evacuated (that does not shock me actually) and private system is going to help.

They have activated the DN III plan, (National Disaster Plan) so they have over 3000 Personnel.

They have damage to streets, and a few houses that sank over a meter, that us substrate.

They have reestablished 70% of light services

They will need to rebuild some buildings at the University. (Universidad Autonoma de Baja California)

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Oh and they have opened shelters also for those

who lost homes or are afraid of being at home

This actually looks like a textbook response so far, (Hence no news for our news models)

[kestrel91316]

2. Am betting DUer nadinbrzinski can assist with translations if you ask nice.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. I've been doint it to keep DU more or less informed

Oh and this is another lesson as why we need LOCAL ownership.

US Media FAIL. MOST of Mexican Media FAIL. The one I am listening to is literally a local station that's done yeoman's job on this, and also learning a lot of the local politics.

The PAN is now called PANDILLEROS (Gang Members) And that has nothing to do with the quake. Apparently there is some violations of electoral law...

[Kind of Blue]

5. Thanks a lot, Nadinbrzezinski. n/t

[Liberty Belle]

9. Yes, she already has!

I really appreciate Nadin's help - it's so important to get this info out there.

Most media is reporting no damage in San Diego but there has been some in East County - roads and a ruptured gas main on an Indian reservation, 2 fire stations with minor damage, a broken window on El Cajon's Main St., lots of stuff knocked off shelves.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Report from Tecate Reporter at 14:30

Roughly translated

At 0:00 they had both media and emergency services already in place. They also had electrical workers trying to reestablish power, with few business with electrical services. There was no light, and all was dark except hotels with their own power.

They evacuated hospitals, including the General Hospital in Mexicali and there had significant damages and that is a priority right now for restoring. They were not allowed entry to media. And they had quite a bit of damage, and it is the civic zone (downtown). The Federal Electric Commission had quite a bit of damage, and they had workers trying to reestablish power.

They also had the parking lot from the Civic Center that collapsed and it was finished. The bus station was also affected. The buss station (Think Grayhound) was severely damaged, near structural failure. And that station was closed for service until 18:00, and at that time they resumed service but selling outside, not inside. (Her description to me at least tells me that the building itself will have to be rebuilt)

The Social Service Hospital was also damaged, quite badly in fact. She is describing that they had to evac the Emergency Room, also the Iztecalli (ISSSTE)

People also slept in the open as well. People improvised. People were afraid of going into their homes.

Well there you have it folks.

And I think it is time for me to get some work done...

Oh and the Colonia Agua Leguas saw the worst damage... with homes collapsing as the road opened up

[Liberty Belle]

10. Which of this are in Tecate vs. Mexicali or elsewhere Nadin?

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. The Station is in Tecate, the reporters were in Mexicali

He had two teams. In fact, many media was there, mostly Mexican.

[BeHereNow]

7. Not news, but I found it interesting- local horses.

I was walking my dog at the equestrian center last night
and observed several of the horses huddled together in the
middle of a turn out area. Normally they are in their stalls
sleeping- seems they were sensing the after shocks.
Just an observation.

I pay close attention to the critters- they seem to know ahead of time
when a quake is coming.

BHN

[Liberty Belle]

11. My dog blew that theory for me.

She was in the kitchen while I was preparing Easter Dinner, begging for tidbits as uusal, tail wagging, not a sign of anything amiss with her when all of a sudden the house felt like it had a freight train rumbling underneath it.

She's a golden retriever. So much for dogs being able to sense these things ahead of time!

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. From the Governor this morning

they are sending Field Facilities for to help the medical services.

Oh and water they have water pressure issues (this usually is a mess) and this may even hurt Tecate.

The Electrical Company reports they are at 75% of service (as of 09:00)

They have reestablished transmission lines from TJ and Rosarito, while Sierro Prieto is partially back on line

The roads have fissures that they need specialists. And the Km 21 of the Mexicali Tijuana road was the worst damaged. They have 11 fissures at Km 21, but circulation is still going with temp work, and they had a landslide on the Rumorosa but they have opened this. And of course the Army (think NG) and they are paroling all areas affected with federal and local police departments.

And of course he also reports that the President is coming (I am sorry VIPS always get in the way)... but they are asking for help.

Well NOW I should do some work. I know... but scooping the "real news" is so much damn fun!

(Oh and I will probably say it, damage is probably going on for close to Billion)

Oh and here is the zinger. I am making news. They are actually going to coordinate with the US (the damage on the US is there) so they are looking at coordinated response.

Oh and 236 wounded still two dead

[Liberty Belle]

12. SDNN is reporting 5 dead, wonder where they got that?

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. Thin air?

Last I have heard was 236 injured.

Of course seriously hurt might have died as well

Not kidding the most recent written report I can find has only two dead.

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. Found it, I hate trolling the web

Suman 4 muertos por sismo en Baja California
Recomendaren Yahoo!
5 Abril, 2010 - 17:03

El sismo de 7.2 grados Richter que se registró este domingo dejó cuatro personas muertas, cien lesionados, además de puentes colapsados y daños estructurales en inmuebles.

Información de Radio Fórmula señala que el temblor más fuerte que se vivió en el estado fue en octubre del año pasado de 5.9 grados Richter, por lo que esta vez se rebasaron las expectativas y sorprendieron a las autoridades, quienes hasta el momento no tienen ningún albergue preparado.

No obstante, el gobernador de Baja California, José Guadalupe Osuna Millán ya realiza una valoración de daños junto al director de Protección Civil, ya que las estructuras tanto de edificios públicos como privados quedaron muy dañadas y un gran número de trabajadores podrían ser afectados y se piensa que serán muchos damnificados porque hay viviendas que están muy dañadas de todas las clases sociales.

http://eleconomista.com.mx/estados/2010/04/05/suman-4-muertos-sismo-bc

The summary of this, is all the damage we already know off, they are expanding the damage assetments and they have up to four dead so far.

Their total casualty has gone down from 236 to 100, which is odd.

So I'll take some of this with a grain of salt.

[a la izquierda]

13. I'm leaving for Boulder tomorrow...

but otherwise I'd help with translations that nadinb doesn't have time for.
I'm disgusted, as usual, with the media coverage.

Good luck to al of you in the area!