I was working when I suddenly felt tremors, I thought it was just our dog Kulas who usually moves so much under my chair, but I was getting
confuse and dizzy literally, it has been a few seconds and it did not stop. Then it hit me, earthquake! Shucks I ran outside at the same time people around me were shouting ‘linog’, ‘lindol’.
This Cebu earthquake today February 6 was really strong!!! Hoping there is no destruction or life lost casualties with this quake today. The last time I experienced earthquake I was still an elementary student. So yes, I was so so scared.
When the earth stops shaking, I went back to work and read all these fb shoutouts about the earthquake that hit Cebu today. Apparently, it also covers a wide area as friends from Iloilo also reported strong quake that lasted long.
News reports are in – Epicenter is 72km north of Dumaguete, 6.8 magnitude quake and reaches as far as Iloilo, Roxas, Capiz, Antique, Butuan, Legazpi and more Visayas area. (USGS updated the magnitude to only 6.7 after an hour). Phivolcs classified the earthquake that hit as Tectonic Earthquake.
Sidenote: But another apparent thing was that a lot of people posted Facebook shoutouts and Twitter posts immediately and even while the earthquake was ongoing instead of looking for open spaces or hiding under sturdy chairs and tables?
Anyhow, I am still a bit scared of after shocks since we live near the sea!
This US Geological Survey website reported about the strong earthquake that hit Cebu, Negros, Bohol and other areas:
6.8 Earthquake Hits Cebu, Negros, Visayas Area
Praying and hoping there is no destruction wherever here in the Philippines with this February 6,2012 earthquake. Everyone here is still waiting for news about the earthquake and trying to contact family members. Dumaguete City experienced the strongest earthquake at intensity 7. There are 13 casualties reported in Negros Oriental already and some more people are missing from the landslide, so sad…
Watching news on GMA News TV now 12:32 noon : East coast of Negros and West Coast of Cebu on Tsunami Alert 2. No evacuation since tsunami alert is only no 2 but everyone is advise to stay away from the shoreline. Alert No 2 means no destructive waves expected and hence, no force evacuation. If after 2 hours no report is received by Phivolcs and government authority, the tsunami alert will be lifted.
UPDATE: 1pm – The US Geological Survey has lowered the earthquake from 6.8 magnitude to Magnitude 6.7.
UPDATE 3pm – TSUNAMI ALERT HAS BEEN LIFTED BY PHIVOLCS per the breaking news of GMA NEWS TV. Inalis na ng Phivolcs ang tsunami alert for Cebu and Negros.
UPDATE 6:20pm – Just felt another earthquake but weaker compared to earlier this noon. Lots of FB updates too of friends in Cebu and other areas who felt the newest tremors. When will these Cebu aftershocks stop?
Map Photo: Area scope by the Feb 6 Earthquake Intensity Map from USGS
If you have family and friends in Visayas please contact them just to assure yourself that everyone is okay.
Cebu and Negros Earthquake 2012 Update
As of the evening of Feb. 6, 2012, there are 13 casualties of the earthquake that has been reported in Negros Oriental. 40 persons are also missing. Some towns in Negros Oriental are also experiencing “Brown Outs” or power interruptions.
Update February 7, 2012: The towns of Tayasan, La Liberted and Guihulungan in Negros Oriental suffered the most damage from the quake with human casualties, huge road cracks, unpassable bridges and some buildings collapsed, and worst landslide that covered a barrio in La Libertad :/
Photo of Earthquake Result in Negros Oriental
==========================================
UPDATE October 15, 2013:
Craig says
I’m in Cebu too. It felt like a 5.0 or maybe a 5.2 here, because we are far from the epicenter. I’ve been in many earthquakes, because I lived in Los Angeles Calf many years. The WORST thing to do in an earthquake is run outside. You are MUCH safer inside a building, providing you are away from glass. In the street where people run there can be high voltage wires whipping around, parts of buildings falling as well as traffic hazards. I was sitting in the house on my computer when it happened. I just stayed sitting while things shook and only got up after it was over. A few objects fell of shelves and a few things got moved around. Getting up and running would have served no purpose, especially if the quake was big. You cannot even walk in a big quake. And by the time you are done panicking, it’s all over anyway. If you are scared, get under a heavy table or desk. Sit in a corner away from windows, but do not run outside
penfires says
Hi Craig, Thanks for sharing your insight and advises, will be keeping that in mind if something like this happen again in the future but hopefully won’t happen again as its real scary especially for people unused to earthquakes.
Hope everyone is okay in all affected areas.
fredsuke says
I myself felt the intensity, I felt scared too it was my first time to experience an earth quake and if you can just imagine working on a tall building. you can feel the gusbumps in you. well lucky for me it was my lunch break went down stairs. hope this is not the end of the world cuz I dont wanna loss my love ones. especially my GF.
penfires says
Hi fred, I could not imagine what it must have felt for you being there on a tall building when the earthquake happened. It was scary enough that I was on the ground. Hope no more strong aftershocks and tremors..
Jec says
If anyone has news on tidal waves and where they might hit.. please update so we can spread the word..
Please make sure that you have your facts before posting..
thanks!
penfires says
Hi Jec,
I am watching the news channel and I will update if Phivolcs will say it live on news report on TV. And you are right, no one should be posting inaccurate tsunami alert or whathaveyou as it will create panic and is very wrong and irresponsible if someone does that.
penfires says
Tsunami alert has been lifted by PHIVOLCS for Cebu and Negros, breaking news from GMA News TV.
Thank God!
Pheebz says
Cille, keep safe. I’m glad lifted na ang tsunami alert sa Cebu. kaloka.
penfires says
Hi Phoebe thanks! At Oo nga salamat at lifted na! Grabe yung ibang tao nag spread ng tsunami hoax, sobrang nagpanic mga tao sa downtown Cebu trying to reach Nivel Hills, Busay area yung papuntang Tops. As in sobrang trapik pa-akyat sa higher grounds ng Cebu.Sana ma reach na lahat ng tao na lifted na ang Tsunami warning.
doi says
hahaha. as for me, i didn’t go out of our house. i just let the earthquake pass as i thought that our main door was just near me. lol. but the aftershocks are the ones bothering me. i don’t think i can sleep properly tonight because of those damn aftershocks! 🙁
penfires says
Agree doi, I was napping earlier when the aftershock at 6pm jolted me, dagan sa sala dayon. tsk. hunong na aftershocks please!
Pheebz says
I suppose madami lang talaga natakot. Kamusta naman ang situation ngaun? Ok na? May aftershocks pa ba?
Keep safe. Praying for Cebu.
😀
penfires says
Hi Pheebz, better na ngayon ang Cebu and wala masyadong damages so things are back to normal here. Hardest hit talaga ang Guihulngan City ng Negros Oriental and other Negrense towns where there were landslides. And yah dami natakot dito kahapon mainly due to false alarm ng tsunami ayun panic scare tuloy. Hopefully things be okay the soonest sa lahat ng places! All prayers help!
Resty Fruto says
With the recent earthquake, I thought it would be good to read this so that we are prepared when that happens again.
http://earthquakecountry.info/dropcoverholdon/
penfires says
Hi Resty, thanks for sharing this with us, we all need to be more informed of what to do during an earthquake so lives can be saved ..
pino says
hala na linog