Information on Earthquake in Chile
February 28, 2010
The Department of State issued the following instructions and recommendations for US Citizens:
Bureau of Consular Affairs (State Department home page)
Earthquake in Chile: Consular Assistance
A large earthquake shook Chile at 3:34 a.m. with its epicenter in Chile's 8th district, 73 miles north of Chile’s secondmost populous city Concepción, and 197 miles south of Santiago. At the epicenter, the quake was measured at 8.8 Richter, at 7.5 in Santiago and shook for an estimate 3 minutes.
There are rolling blackouts in Santiago, land telephone line service is intermittent and cell phones also appear to be affected.
There have been no reports of American citizen fatalities or injuries. As telephone and email communication becomes dependable, it may be easier to contact family and friends in Chile using SMS (Cell text message) or other forms of social media such as Twitter and Facebook.
If you are concerned about a U.S. citizen in the affected area and have not been able to reach that person, you can contact the Chile Task Force by email at ChileEarthquake@state.gov or by calling 1-888-407-4747. Please provide as much information about the individual (full name, birth date and birth place, location and contact information in Chile, any special circumstances) to assist us in locating the U.S. citizen.
Chilean officials are asking that, unless there is an emergency need to leave, private citizens should remain in their homes, if not damaged, and stay off the roads.
The following is a link to the FEMA website with instructions for what to do after an earthquake:
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_after.shtm
In short:
• Expect aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves are usually less violent.
• Listen to a battery-operated radio or television. Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
• Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.
• Stay away from damaged areas. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
• Help injured or trapped persons. Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance.
• Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the area if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals.
• Inspect the entire length of chimneys for damage. Unnoticed damage could lead to a fire.
• Inspect utilities: Check for gas leaks, look for electrical system damage, check for sewage and water lines damage.
Americans living or traveling in Chile are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Chile. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at Avenida Andrés Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile, phone number 56-2-330 30 00, fax 56-2-330 30 05, U.S. Citizen Services Unit email: SantiagoAmcit@state.gov
The Chile earthquake triggered tsunami warnings for the entire Pacific basin. Warden messages are going out to U.S. citizens who have registered their presence with Embassies in the affected countries.
The messages are advising U.S. citizens living near or visiting the coastal areas to take appropriate precautions and monitor tsunami warnings on http://www.prh.noaa.gov/ptwc/ and www.cnn.com, as well as local news sources.