SHREVEPORT, La. — An ArkLaTex woman who survived a devastating earthquake in Venezuela as a child says the country's latest disaster has brought back painful memories, even as she is relieved her family is safe.
More than 200 people were killed and more than 4,000 injured after powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, according to authorities.
Valentina Poggioli, who now lives in the ArkLaTex, was 11 years old when the 1967 Caracas earthquake shook the country.
"I remember the shaking," Poggioli said. "I remember it was horrendous. This one was worse."
Now, she's watching another disaster unfold from Louisiana while waiting for updates from family members still living in Caracas, including her two sons, two grandchildren, her sister and her mother.
"The whole story again," she said. "Oh, my God. The whole story again. It repeats itself."
Her son described widespread destruction during a brief phone call.Â
"He says, 'Mommy, when we were coming home, it was horrendous. The buildings are flat,'" Poggioli said. "Like if you are in the middle of Shreveport and the whole downtown is down."
She said four buildings collapsed in the neighborhood where she once lived and rescue crews were searching for survivors.
"People are trying to rescue people," she said. "For me, it's just sad because I know my children are there."
Although her family survived, Poggioli fears Venezuela will struggle to recover without assistance from other countries.
"For 27 years we haven't had hospitals. We haven't had nothing," she said. "We don't have a way to pick up the pieces and rebuild."
Poggioli said she is grateful her loved ones escaped harm but continues to pray for those affected by the earthquake and hopes the international community will help the country recover.
Originally published on ktbs.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
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