Police, firefighters and civilians are frantically digging through the rubble of collapsed schools, homes and apartment buildings, looking for survivors of the massive earthquake that rocked Mexico City Tuesday.
Hundreds of people have been confirmed dead with surviving family and friends fearing the worst.
The last time the country dealt with an earthquake of this magnitude was September 19, 1985. That’s exactly 32 years to the day and Miriam leyva, who now lives in Tampa, lived through the nightmare.
“You hear the cracking of the earth and the walls and the popping of the glass. It was extremely scary,” said Leyva. “You try to walk or run and you can’t. It’s hard to walk.”
Leyva said it was 7:00 a.m. that day in 1985 when it happened. Her family rushed out into the street, trying to get out of the crumbling building.
She said she could see the transformers blowing and the wires falling as the buildings crumbled around them. Now, she is reliving the horror as two of her brothers still live in Mexico City.
“You never forget. That’s something that you never forget and the same day? Having one just like it? It’s devastating,” said Leyva.
Thankfully, she was able to get in contact with her niece, who let her know both of her brothers were OK. Unfortunately, they can’t find many of their friends. Leyva said they will continue to pray for their country and the people there.
