First, I want to thank everyone who has reached out to check on me and my family following Friday's devastating earthquake here in Panama.
I’ve received hundreds of thoughtful messages from so many people in our community, and if I haven’t been able to respond individually, please know your kind words were not lost on me or my family.
Thank you, sincerely.
When I first wrote to you about the earthquake, we were still trying to understand the extent of the damage.
Since then, we’ve gotten a much clearer picture.
Friday's initial earthquake registered a magnitude of 7.7, with its epicentre in Herrera province, followed by another powerful tremor measuring 6.6, with shaking felt across the country.
By Sunday, Panama's Institute of Geosciences had recorded more than 200 aftershocks, which gradually became less frequent and less severe.
Most of the reported damage has been concentrated in Panama's central provinces, particularly Herrera, Los Santos, and Veraguas, rather than Panama City itself. For context, these provinces are more than 250 kilometres from the capital.
Though the situation on the ground continues to evolve, as of my writing this, nearly 900 homes have reportedly sustained damage, at least 14 bridges have been affected, and schools, churches, hotels, and other public buildings have suffered structural damage.