Manila Earthquake 2019

The earth shook a little yesterday at 5:11 PM MNL 22April2019

I was still in the office that very moment when the earth suddenly moved. My very first earthquake experience came to life once again, I still remember how it feels. It has been 29years ago when I first experienced an earthquake in Manila. The chills and fears of a long time ago came back to me as fresh memory. I was awakened by a loud sound and a violently moving ground. I was 10years old at that time, sick in bed inside the dormitory of Asilo de San Vicente de Paul in Paco, Manila. Now that I am already in my late thirties I still have the same worries that I had before like what if?

You could visit this link for added information-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_earthquakes_in_the_Philippines

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Luzon on July 16, 1990. It caused severe damage to major cities in Luzon: Dagupan City (soil liquefaction), Baguio City, and Cabanatuan City; Hyatt Terraces Baguio collapsed. 1,621 were reported dead. Damage to buildings, infrastructures, and properties amounted to at least ?10-billion, a part of which was caused by ground rupturing. However, some houses within 1–2 m on either side of the ground rupture survived owing to their light-weight construction while those built of reinforced concrete within this zone suffered partial damage. Damage beyond 2m depended mainly on the structural integrity of the building and the effects of local topography and ground conditions.

Social media was not available during those years and we only rely on news on the radio and television. Good thing, news in social media most especially on Facebook and Twitter spread like a fire giving awareness to everyone who has accessed online.

I thought about my kids at that very moment and good thing they are not here in Manila but in Aurora, Baler surfing and swimming- Baler was not affected. I thought about home- my mom and other next in kin and thank you Lord they are safe and sound. I am thankful and blessed none of my family members were hurt or anything. After that sudden quake, I hurriedly tidy my stuff and left for home, I should have left the area since its already way past my clock-out time of 5PM. Elevator accessed has been stopped so all employees occupying the building will need to take the stairs for safety. Good thing that my work area is located on the 2nd floor. Upon reaching the ground floor I saw a lot of people occupying the street. For safety measures, other companies also advise their employees to go down their building and secure it for safety.

I was able to snap some after-earth quake photos and sharing them with you guys. You can view the entire album here 04.22.19_Manila Earth Quake

For moments like this, I still remember DROP, TAKE COVER, HOLD ON

I visited some sites that could help during an earthquake.

What to do in an Earthquake?

If you are indoors during an earthquake
Ensure you do the following if you are indoors during an earthquake:

1. DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or another piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
2. Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
3. Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
4. Do not use a doorway except if you know it is a strongly supported, load-bearing doorway and it is close to you. Many inside doorways are lightly constructed and do not offer protection.
5. Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Do not exit a building during the shaking. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
6. DO NOT use the elevators.
7. Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

If you are outdoors during an earthquake
Ensure you do the following if you are outdoors during an earthquake:

1. Stay there.
2. Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
3. Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls.

If you are in a moving vehicle during an earthquake
Ensure you do the following if you are in a moving vehicle during an earthquake:

1. Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
2. Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If you are trapped under debris
Ensure you do the following if you are trapped under debris during or after an earthquake:

1. Do not light a match.
2. Do not move around or kick up dust.
3. Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
4. Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

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