My partner is 15 miles from the epicenter of the Italian earthquake, Please send good vibes my way.

[Obamarama]

Sitting here trying not to freak out and let my mind jump to conclusions. He is visiting family in Rocca di Mezzo, which is about 15 miles south of the epicenter. San Demetrio, which is literally just over the mountain from Rocca di Mezzo, is damage and at least 8 missing according to Fighting Irish who is monitoring the situation on Italian tv. I can't get through to his international cell phone, he hasn't called me (he knows I'd be freaking out right about now), and I can't get through to his parent's or brother's land lines.

Meanwhile, our supposed 24 hour cable news stations have nothing. I might as well be in fucking Timbuktu. I can't read Italian so I can't glean from the Italian news websites what's going on.

I feel completely in the dark. Good vibes, prayers, et.al. gladly accepted.

On edit, THANKS to DU member Fighting Irish who is keeping us updated through Italain TV via his cable network.

[babydollhead]

1. good vibes and hope

[Skittles]

2. good thoughts for you and your partner

keep us updated OK?

[The Straight Story]

3. Good vibes to you both, please update us when you hear more! (nt)

[BlooInBloo]

4. I think vibes are the LAST thing he needs. Wishing him well, however.

:P

[Quantess]

6. LOL. No more vibrations, good or bad.

:D

[Obamarama]

10. Didn't even think of that when I used the term. Thanks for making me laugh - I needed that.

[BlooInBloo]

16. :)

[babylonsister]

5. Hey.

I bet he's fine. I had just arrived in Bali when 9/11 hit. That was televised all over the world and the intertubes were tied up for DAYS. It will get better, you will hear from your partner pretty soon.

How big was it? And you're right, there's hardly any news tonight to begin with. Here, and it's going to be all right. :hug:

[Missy Vixen]

7. The cell sites may be overwhelmed right now

You might try calling the Red Cross. Another option may be the American embassy.

I will think all good thoughts for you and for your partner, and I hope that he and his family are just fine.

:hug:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

8. He's all right

He'll be in touch and he's fine and you'll be fine, but just stay with DU and hold on and try not to freak.

Got any Xanax? Now might be the time to drop one.

He's fine..........................

[Muttocracy]

9. USGS website has links to Italian sites:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/world/index.php?region=Italy

editing to reflect my 2nd link being an out-of-date site.

[elleng]

13. FYI, Sorry, from ingv.it

'The information on these pages have been so far provided by the staff of INGV, which includes a large number of temporary workers.

The government now proposes to dismiss all the temporary workers (amendment 37 bis to the 1441 quater bill) thus bringing about a serious crisis in the institutional activity of INGV. Against this decision the staff as a whole will stop the release of all non-institutional information relating to national earthquakes.'

[csziggy]

14. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre

http://www.emsc-csem.org/index.php?page=home

Updates latest quakes automatically. Unfortunately, no news on damages or injuries.

[Muttocracy]

11. BBC News has updates too:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/default.stm

[whirlygigspin]

12. looks good

The town has a webcam at the central square, it looks ok from what I can tell.

http://www.roccadimezzo.org/webcam/index.php

[Obamarama]

17. THANK YOU!!! This puts me much more at ease.

Rocca di Mezzo has a webcam?? Who knew?! That's the Piazza del'Oratorio, right in the center of the town. His parents live about two blocks away from there. This is very encouraging. He probably just can't get a line or cell connection out because of the situation.

THANK YOU WHIRLYGIGSPIN. You just brought my stress level and blood pressure down several notches.

[Control-Z]

15. Your partner is more than likely

frantically trying to get through to you too. It is probably a matter of telephone and cell service that is keeping you two from connecting. I know that doesn't help much. I'm sending all the good wishes I can. Keep us posted with any news you get.

Edit to: change the word "vibes" to "wishes", after reading through the rest of the thread.

[Obamarama]

18. GOOD NEWS!

I just spoke with his sister who lives in Washington D.C. Their uncle is mayor of Rocca di Mezzo and he apparently knows someone in town with a satellite phone. He used the phone to call her very quickly to let her know everyone is okay and there is only very minor damage in Rocco di Mezzo.

Wow...what a tense last two hours. Thanks for haging out with me and reassuring me. I'm going to TRY to go to sleep now but fear I am far too wired.

[omega minimo]

19. BRRRILLIANT.

:bounce:

[Control-Z]

21. I came back to this thread to see any news

on your partner. So happy to see it is good!!

[bigwillq]

24. That is good news!

So glad to hear it. :hug:

[MADem]

20. CBS just reported 12 or 13 dead and thousands homeless, many building collapses.

They also had film--looked like they skimmed it off RAI.

[Liberal_in_LA]

22. vibes... good ones.

[ddeclue]

23. Here's some good calm and stillness..

I think you've gotten enough "vibes" already...