Early January, the South of Puerto Rico was struck by 6.4 magnitude earthquake that rattled the entire island, crippling infrastructure, leaving it without electricity for days and weeks in some areas, declaring a state of emergency and causing billions in financial losses. As an organization committed to our communities, our Puerto Rico office demonstrates a quick and basic walk-through.
Identify potential safety threats to a structure after an Earthquake by performing a visual inspection. These observations can include looking at the outside of the structure, floors, door frames, stairs and supporting walls. If you observe any fissures or cracks in these areas, we recommend getting assistance from a licensed structural engineer.
Please note that the instructions in this video are not intended to replace a structural assessment by a licensed engineer, but only to inform businesses and homeowners on some preliminary steps they can take after a natural disaster.