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A powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7th, destroying many homes, killing at least one person and injuring many others. Governor Wanda Vazquez Garced declared a state of emergency. The earthquake also caused power outages across southwestern Puerto Rico, and many schools were closed until January 13th.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that small tsunamis could make landfall and urged residents to be vigilant and monitor the situation in order to evacuate promptly.
The wonder of Punta Ventana was destroyed by the earthquake.
Earlier, on January 6th, many historical buildings and famous tourist attractions such as the Inmaculada Concapcion church, built in 1841 in the town of Guayanilla, and the natural cliff shaped like a gateway, Punta Ventana (also known as the Window of the Caribbean), collapsed due to a strong 5.8 magnitude earthquake.
The Inmaculada Concapcion church, built in 1841, collapsed after the earthquake.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates the economic damage from this earthquake at over $100 million. This is considered the most damaging earthquake to Puerto Rico in over a century.
Many houses and buildings in residential areas on the island were damaged.
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, San Juan Port, Ponce Cruise Port and Airport, the Puerto Rico Convention Center, as well as hotels and attractions in northern Puerto Rico were not directly affected by the earthquake. However, flights to and from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport were delayed or canceled. Ferry services from Puerto Rico to Vieques and Culebra are also currently suspended. Several airlines have canceled all flights to or transiting through Puerto Rico, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, and Frontier Airlines.
