Monday, April 06, 2009

Rome Trembled

We have been receiving a lot of phone calls and emails from worried friends and family. Rest assured, we're fine. The earthquake that struck central Italy this morning woke us up, as the building moved and the wooden floor of our sleeping loft squeaked and swayed. In my barely-awake state I thought, gee, that feels like a tremor, but dismissed it. After all, we were in Rome where seismic activity is not very common. We had felt several tremors in Ascoli Piceno where the mountainous terrain is more conducive to shakings and rattlings. But Rome?

When we woke up again at 7:30 am we heard the horrible notizia of severe damage and tragic deaths in the region of Abruzzo. It has grown progressively worse throughout the day as more bodies are discovered, more destruction detected. Compounding the situation is the damage sustained at the L'Aquila hospital, requiring partial evacuation of current patients and leaving some victims outside to be treated in the courtyard. The images are heartbreaking, and our thoughts and prayers go out to those grieving, hurting families.

From the video and photos I have seen, the newer buildings were just as susceptible as the old stone structures. When the earth moves out from under you there is no differentiation.

Bryan talked to a friend in Ascoli who said the tremor was very strong but there were, thankfully, no problems there. Sant'Emidio is being hailed again for saving the city from destructive earthquakes.

Diane slept while Rome trembled. Too bad we all awoke to a nighmare-ish situation affecting so many. it is so strange to realize that thirty seconds can change the lives and landscape of an entire city.

9 comments:

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

glad you're okay.

I stopped watching the news for a minute. It's devastating.

Sandrac said...

Valerie, I'm glad to hear you're okay. Devastating news.

Eleonora Baldwin said...

The news are too much to bear, I've switched it off. Glad to hear your place is OK.

Anonymous said...

We are so glad you are okay.

Love,
Tallmadge Schneiders

J.Doe said...

How scary to feel the tremors! Glad to hear that you both are OK

Laura said...

Valerie, thanks for letting us know that you are safe. I have been thinking of you and wondering just where you might be. Take care!

Anonymous said...

I couldn't remember where you were, but I thought you might be south of Rome. we heard from friends in rome that their house shook for 10 interminable seconds.
Che paura. glad that you guys are safe but I ache for all those in the rubble and those directly affected.
carol in dc

Valerie said...

Thank you all for checking in. It is devastating news, though the news of so many people being rescued from beneath the rubble is incredible. It is so sad to think of those beautiful places destroyed, and those poor people who fled their homes with nothing in their hands - no clothes, no money, and not even a cell phone, now living in tents waiting for permission to retrieve a few items from whatever remains of their houses. So heartbreaking. Please consider giving to the relief effort.

Valerie said...

Thank you all for checking in. It is devastating news, though the news of so many people being rescued from beneath the rubble is incredible. It is so sad to think of those beautiful places destroyed, and those poor people who fled their homes with nothing in their hands - no clothes, no money, and not even a cell phone, now living in tents waiting for permission to retrieve a few items from whatever remains of their houses. So heartbreaking. Please consider giving to the relief effort.