Gabriella N. Báez

Visual Artist, Documentary Storyteller, and Diarist

www.gabriellanbaez.com

Puerto Rico Earthquakes

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Location: between New Haven, CT & San Juan, Puerto Rico

Nationality: Puerto Rican

Biography: Based between New Haven, CT & San Juan, Puerto Rico Gabriella (they/them) is a queer visual artist, documentary storyteller, and diarist based between New Haven, CT and San Juan, Puerto Rico. They focus on documenting intimate subjects:... MORE

On the morning of January 7th, ...lla N. Báez for CNN.

On the morning of January 7th, 2020, two earthquakes of 6.6 and 6.0 were reported in the southwestern region of Puerto Rico. In the town of Guayanilla, the nearest town to the epicenter, buildings including the Iglesia Inmaculada Concepción, were torn down. Gabriella N. Báez for CNN.

On the morning of January 7th, 2020, two earthquakes of 6.6 and 6.0 were reported in the southwestern region of Puerto Rico producing an island-wide blackout. After Guánica, the Guayanilla refuge holds the second largest refugee population since the earthquakes. In the image Tatiana Rodriguez, 28, original from Guayanilla but currently lives in Virgina, alongside her family. Gabriella N. Báez for CNN.

Morning at the Guayanilla Althl...that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Morning at the Guayanilla Althletic Track, also known as the Luis "Pegui" Toro Stadium, a Government supported "base camp" that houses people displaced by the multiple earthquakes that have impacted Puerto Rico.

On the morning of January 7th, 2020, two earthquakes of 6.6 and 6.0 were reported in the southwestern region of Puerto Rico producing an island-wide blackout. After Guánica, the Guayanilla refuge holds the second largest refugee population since the earthquakes. Rodolfo Pérez, 58, and his daughter Ashley Ramirez Pérez, 22, from the Residencial Padre Nazario. Gabriella N. Báez for CNN.

Water bottles under the sun in ...that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Water bottles under the sun in the Guánica Althletic Track, a Government supported "base camp" that houses over 1000 people displaced by the multiple earthquakes that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Gilbert Feliciano at the Guayan...that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Gilbert Feliciano at the Guayanilla Althletic Track, also known as the Luis "Pegui" Toro Stadium, a Government supported "base camp" that houses people displaced by the multiple earthquakes that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Cracks on the walls of a buildi...that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Cracks on the walls of a building in Yauco. The building that housed a bistro, activity center, and a bridal store were closed for safety purposes after the multiple earthquakes that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Destroyed idol of the Virgin Ma...uánica, Puerto Rico.

Destroyed idol of the Virgin Mary in the town center of Guánica, Puerto Rico.

Refugees hang clothing to dry i...that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Refugees hang clothing to dry in the Guánica Althletic Track, a Government supported "base camp" that houses over 1000 people displaced by the multiple earthquakes that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Soldiers of the Army Reserve an...that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Soldiers of the Army Reserve and the National Gaurd have breakfast at the Guayanilla Althletic Track, also known as the Luis "Pegui" Toro Stadium, a Government supported "base camp" that houses people displaced by the multiple earthquakes that have impacted Puerto Rico.

A smiley face cut-out over a bl...that have impacted Puerto Rico.

A smiley face cut-out over a blue tarp at the Guayanilla Althletic Track, also known as the Luis "Pegui" Toro Stadium, a Government supported "base camp" that houses people displaced by the multiple earthquakes that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Doctors from Med Center prepare...that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Doctors from Med Center prepare to begin treating patients at the Guayanilla Althletic Track, also known as the Luis "Pegui" Toro Stadium, a Government supported "base camp" that houses people displaced by the multiple earthquakes that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Voluntary cosmetologists braid ...that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Voluntary cosmetologists braid hair at the Guayanilla Althletic Track, also known as the Luis "Pegui" Toro Stadium, a Government supported "base camp" that houses people displaced by the multiple earthquakes that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Refugees are relocated into a c...that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Refugees are relocated into a circus tarp at the Guayanilla Althletic Track, also known as the Luis "Pegui" Toro Stadium, a Government supported "base camp" that houses people displaced by the multiple earthquakes that have impacted Puerto Rico.

A soldier walks by the Guayanil...that have impacted Puerto Rico.

A soldier walks by the Guayanilla Althletic Track, also known as the Luis "Pegui" Toro Stadium, a Government supported "base camp" that houses people displaced by the multiple earthquakes that have impacted Puerto Rico.

A bedridden women under a mosqu...that have impacted Puerto Rico.

A bedridden women under a mosquito net at theYauco Stadium, a Government supported "base camp" that houses people displaced by the multiple earthquakes that have impacted Puerto Rico.

On the morning of January 7th, 2020, two earthquakes of 6.6 and 6.0 were reported in the southwestern region of Puerto Rico producing an island-wide blackout. Damage was reported on the Costa Sur powerplant located in Valle Tallaboa between Peñuelas and Guayanilla. Gabriella N. Báez for CNN.

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Thumbnail of On the morning of January 7th, 2_ella N. Báez for CNN.

Thumbnail of Morning at the Guayanilla Althle_ that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Thumbnail of Water bottles under the sun in t_ that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Thumbnail of Gilbert Feliciano at the Guayani_ that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Thumbnail of Cracks on the walls of a buildin_ that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Thumbnail of Destroyed idol of the Virgin Mar_Guánica, Puerto Rico.

Thumbnail of Refugees hang clothing to dry in_ that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Thumbnail of Soldiers of the Army Reserve and_ that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Thumbnail of A smiley face cut-out over a blu_ that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Thumbnail of Doctors from Med Center prepare _ that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Thumbnail of Voluntary cosmetologists braid h_ that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Thumbnail of Refugees are relocated into a ci_ that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Thumbnail of A soldier walks by the Guayanill_ that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Thumbnail of A bedridden women under a mosqui_ that have impacted Puerto Rico.

Public Story

Puerto Rico Earthquakes

Copyright Gabriella N. Baez 2024

Updated Jul 2020

Location Guanica, Puerto Rico

Topics Abandonment, Action, Capitalism, Climate Change, Community, Confrontation, Discrimination, Documentary, Dying/Death, Editorial, Emotion, Energy, Environment, Essays, Fear, Gender, Historical, Human Rights, Latin America, Loss, Mental Illness, Minority, Oppression, Photography, Photojournalism, Poverty, Reporting, Spotlight, Yearning

Since December 28, 2019, Puerto Rico has been struck by more than 500 earthquakes with a magnitude of 2 or greater. The biggest came before dawn on January 7, 2020 when a 6.4 magnitude quake, centered off the southern coast, killed at least one person and destroyed dozens of homes and structures. Aftershocks soon followed. Thousands sought shelter in state improvised refuges or camped out next to their torn homes. Just weeks before Covid-19 arrived to Puerto Rico, the refuges were closed, leaving families to fend for themselves in an island that continues to shake.

Selections from assignments for CNN and NBC.

Persistent Earthquakes put Puerto Rico on edge, CNN
Puerto Rico earthquake: Roughly two-thirds of island without power amid dozens of aftershocks, CNN
Displaced by the earthquake, Puerto Ricans cope with constant aftershocks and uncertainty, NBC
Puerto Ricans displaced by earthquakes wait for a safe home amid roadblocks, delays, NBC