MEXICO BATTERED BY 8.1 EARTHQUAKE, TSUNAMI AND A HURRICANE

By Miriam Raftery

September 8, 2017 (San Diego) – An 8.1 earthquake has struck Mexico off the west coast near Chiapas and Oaxaca overnight, killing at least several dozen people though that count is expected to rise dramatically.  The quake, the strongest in a century to hit Mexico, and aftershocks are triggering tsunamis, one measuring 3 foot already and potential of waves up to 10 feet tall, CNN reports:  http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/08/americas/earthquake-hits-off-the-coast-of-southern-mexico/index.html

Many more fatalities and major economic loss are expected, the U.S. Geologic Survey predicts:  https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us2000ahv0#executive

Meanwhile Mexico’s east coast is awash in heavy rains and strong winds from Hurricane Katia , a category 1 hurricane off Veracruz.  A hurricane warning is in effect for Cabo Rojo to Laguna Verde.

Mexico sent relief aid to Houston to help the U.S. during Hurricane Harvey rescue efforts. Thus far President Trump has not indicated whether U.S. will come to the aid of our neighbors in Mexico, where many buildings are reported collapsed from the earthquake , a red alert has been issued, and international relief efforts are being mounted.