One of the most powerful earthquakes ever to strike Mexico is being referred to by the President as "The Strongest of The Century." The earthquake hit off Mexico's southern coast, killing at least 15 five people, toppling houses and businesses, and sending panicked people into the streets more than 650 miles away.

The NY Times reports that the earthquake hit off Chiapas state near the Guatemalan border with a magnitude as 8.2, according to the Mexican government, which is equal in force to the 1985 quake that killed thousands and devastated large parts of Mexico City.

At least 20 aftershocks of magnitude 4.0 or greater were recorded within the first five hours after the main quake. 

The tally of damage and death is expected to be difficult to assess initially, given how remote many areas of the states are. However, officials do know that at least two women died in the state of Chiapas, and two children died in the state of Tabasco. One child was killed when a wall collapsed, and the other after a respirator lost power. Local officials in Oaxaca have said residents there remain buried under the rubble of buildings. The effects were also felt in Guatemala, where at least one person died and homes along the border with Mexico were leveled. Power was cut at least briefly to more than 1 million people and authorities closed schools Friday in at least 11 states to check them for safety.

"The house moved like chewing gum and the light and internet went out momentarily," said Rodrigo Soberanes, who lives near the Chiapas state city of San Cristobal de las Casas.

Mexico’s government issued a tsunami warning off the coast of Oaxaca and Chiapas after Thursday’s quake, however, neither state appeared to have been seriously affected by waves in the aftermath. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the largest wave recorded on Mexico’s Pacific Coast measured less than four feet.

With damage to hospitals, homes, and schools, as well as a severe loss of energy, many people have evacuated. 

The quake hit as Mexican emergency agencies were bracing for another crisis on the other side of the country. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Hurricane Katia was likely to strike the Gulf coast in the state of Veracruz early Saturday as a Category 2 storm that could bring life-threatening floods.

This has been an extremely heartbreaking season of global flooding, earthquakes, and hurricanes. Natural disasters one after another keep claiming the lives of innocent people. We're keeping a close eye on this story as well as keeping our Mexican brothers and sisters in our prayers.

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