7.1 Earthquake

May 29, 2009 7:40 AM
Back on Roatán! It's so good to be back in this heat and swiming and
diving! The big news is the 7.1 quake that scared the hell out of
everyone. This was the biggest the island has felt! To quote P.J.
Roundtree owner of Coconut Tree Divers, "I thought I ain't scared of
nothin. But now I know I'm scared of earthquakes!"
The quake hit at 2:15 or so. I was getting tossed about in bed all
over the place. I think I had incorperated it into a dream when
Annemarie said my name and I woke up. The whole place was jolting back
and forth a few feet it seemed it was difficult to stand and walk. My
first instinct was to look out the window and see what the f was going
on. I didn't even have my glasses on! So for the second I peered out I
saw blackness and realized it was a major earthquake. I turn to look
and see how things are in the apartment and see Annemarie in the
doorway so run and join her. Then I see Lauren my roommate come to her
door way. It stopped! We were all ok! Our hearts were pounding as
adrenaline was flowing through our bodies. It lasted from about 8-25
seconds.
I surveyed the apartment. No damage at all, like nothing happened. I
walked onto the porch to listen as see if I can hear how the neighbors
are doing. There was lots of glass smashing and things falling during
the trembling of the earth . I could hear a woman screaming in panic.
And then she stopped. I could her people talking and making sure there
family and neighbors were all safe and ok. Children were crying in
there houses and I could her babies screaming. I stood on my front
porch looking and listening trying to figure out what to do next.
Then it hit me, Tsunami?! This would be the perfect instance for one
to have been created. Then I recalled a loud grumbling almost like
thunder that lasted a good 5-10seconds right after the quake stopped.
Could this sound indicate that ground zero was on the main land? What
the hell do I know about this! So I listened and watched. Thinking how
I would know. I thought this was huge! If the quake originated in the
sea the wave would have struck by now, right?
My heart was still pounding. I could hear people getting their
families together and going to the hill. A spot where it seemed high
enough not to be hit my a tsunami. I listened. Some people were
staying. I listened. I had this feeling that everything was going to
be alright. I kept my thoughts to myself while I tried to calm
Annemarie and convince her that the worst was over. The after shocks
started to hit. They were big it seemed, you could feel the earth
quiver then stop. This has been happening what seems like hourly ever
since.
But life goes on almost uneffected.
The next day everyone had the scary stories. We all shared them and
luckily were a me to laugh out our fears. Many people including my
self still had no news as to what the aftermath was or anything for
that matter.