Topic: Chile
Ida Lee is here. We're 180 km NW of Santiago in Zapallar on the coast. The quake hit just after 3:30am and we knew it was a big one. It grew and grew and we ran outside with other guests until it seemed safe to come in again. We ran out once more for a major aftershock, and there were many minor shakes (another just minutes ago). Everything here is on steep hillsides over the Pacific--had nightmares of just sliding down the hill in the bed! Lights are still out but water is OK (even hot water) but the hotel has a generator. We understand the country is in a 'state of catastrophe'. I don't know how the internet is working but the TV and radio and newspapers were not though we just got a TV station on (wish I could understand it). We are told the airport is closed for 24 hours at least and that the planes have been flown over the Andes to Mendoza, Argentina. Ida Lee was to fly out tonight. Both major routes back to Santiago are reportedly closed--the northern route 5 on which we came by landslides, and the southern route 68 through Vina del Mar also by landslides. Folks in Santiago I have reached say they are fine but shaken. Delta confirms no flight for Ida tonight we will stay here--the hotel is very nice and has a generator and internet somehow.
One car full of Americans just got on the road, saying they had a few cases of beer and intended to make their flight tomorrow. I think we'll just hold still for now.
Just talked to Kartik, who said it was much scarier in Santiago--both big plate sliding glass doors in his apt shattered (we are one floor up from him when we're home). There were no emergency lights in the stairwell but he is OK though shaken. I guess he sent a more coherent message out.
Clear skies and stable ground!