Shockwave in Mexico on the Anniversary of Past Quakes
In a punch‑driven reminder of history, a 7.6‑strength earthquake rattled western Mexico on September 19, 2025—the very day that sent shockwaves through the country in 1985 and 2017. The tremors left a trail of hard‑hit headlines, a loss of life, and a flurry of memes.
Where the Damage Was
- Manzanillo – A department‑store roof gave way on a single unlucky shopper, tragically claiming one life.
- Michoacan – Hospitals near the epicenter were shaken; one worker suffered a glass‑fighting injury.
- Other buildings across a sparsely populated coastal zone took a beating, and power lines were tossed like noodle forks.
When and How Shallow
The quake struck just after 1 pm local time (1800 GMT), with a depth of a mere 15 km (9 miles). The shallow profile amplified the pain felt on the surface.
Tsunami Warning
The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center flagged a possible wave of 1–3 m (3–9 ft) along parts of the Mexican coast. Heads up for surfers!
Mayor Says “No Major Damage in the Capital”
Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum reported that Mexico City itself felt the tremor but did not see major structural harm. The city, busy as ever, just let the last couple of seconds of warning go by after a practice drill earlier that day.
Community Reactions
- “It’s like a curse.” – Isa Montes, a designer in Roma, muttered as helicopters buzzed overhead.
- “The 19th is a day to be feared.” – Business owner Ernesto Lanzetta echoed that dread.
People in the streets and online are still trying to tie the coincidence together. UNAM experts claim it’s fair‑weather coincidence, while others look for cosmic patterns. Some jokes about the “magic 19th” have spread like wildfire through social media.
Historical Context
- 1795 – a massive quake kills thousands
- 1985 – a 7.8‑strength quake that etched new streets into memory, claiming ~10,000 lives
- 2017 – a 8.1‑strength shake that took more than 350 souls
Final Thoughts
As the echoes of the July 19 quake linger, residents of Mexico find themselves both terrified and fascinated. The memory is fresh, the danger real, and the internet still buzzing with memes that make the topic feel strange yet oddly light‑hearted. Stay safe, stay warm, but maybe keep a close eye on the calendar.
Power out
When the Earth Rumbled, So Did the City
Just a few kilometers from the quake’s epicenter, Coalcomán, Michoacán was left in a state‑of‑ emergency that looks almost cinematic. The tremor slammed the shingles off roofs and cracked walls like a giant, unruly puppet master. In a local shop, shelves worked like a domino chain, sending a thousand books crashing to the floor.
Power Out, Panic On
- In Roma, Mexico City, a 400‑km‑thick slice of the city’s grid went dark. The national utility reported that a staggering 1.2 million users lost power.
- Streets were filled with residents clutching their pets, eyes wide. A tourist, accompanied by a bewildered guide, found herself trapped in a market where traffic lights glitched and phones flickered.
- People texted “X5” urgently or waited for calls as if the phone lines themselves might have become earthquake‑tuned instruments.
Clara’s Instincts in Action
Owner of an Italian bookshop, Clara Ferri, has spent 16 years reading between the tick‑tock and the seismic sound. “It’s like a dentist’s drill,” she said when the windows started to rattle. My guess is that her ears have caught every whine of the earth for decades. She told a flustered customer to evacuate immediately. When the tremor intensified, the eight‑story building swayed as if in a slow dance. By the time she returned, her shelves were a chaotic pile of paper.
What We Saw on the Streets
- Walls lost bricks, leaving the sidewalk littered with masonry.
- Neighbors gathered at an intersection, trading shaky stories.
- In a scene that felt like a family drama, an 89‑year‑old man in blue‑and‑white pajamas was escorted by his daughter out of the building.
- People left pets, suitcases, and even their peace of mind to spend the night elsewhere.
After the shock subsided, the city was left with a new reality: the quaking earth had turned a tranquil neighborhood into a living scrapbook of rattles, broken shelves, and a shared sense of resilience. What a dull and ordinary building has become today, showing that life is a bit more thrilling when the ground decides to turn the tables on us.
