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Lifestyle & Human Interest

Watch Moment Heroic 11-Year-Old Carries Sister Out of Shaking Laundromat During 7.1 Earthquake

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On July 4, 2019, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake shook Ridgecrest, California, and surrounding areas, with movement felt in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas in opposite directions.

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake followed the next day. CBS News reported the damages done to the area’s homes and businesses will cost at least $100 million to repair.



Residents fled from their homes and stray animals have been turning up in shelters since the disaster, leaving California to pick up the pieces. The outlet reported that a mere 13 percent of the state’s residents hold earthquake insurance.

But amidst the ruin and the rubble, we always tend to see the good in people. Communities comes together stronger and unlikely heroes rise to the occasion.



One such hero is just 11 years old. When the laundromat where the 11-year-old boy, his mom and his 2-year-old sister Arianna were during the 7.1 magnitude quake on July 5, Armando Suarez knew just what to do.

“It started shaking really badly and the roof starts to collapse in more,” Suarez told KABC. “That’s when I grabbed my sister and ran toward the door because everything’s shaking.”

Were you affected by the recent California earthquakes?

Footage of the young man’s brave act and quick thinking were caught on a surveillance camera. The children’s mother, Joann Yglesias, said she is so grateful for her son.

“Once we got outside, I grabbed my kids and held them really close to me,” Yglesias told KABC. “I’m very, very proud of him and thankful he was there to react good.”



This boy is a true hero, as are all the first responders who have gone above and beyond for their community during this time.

As part of the #RidgecrestStrong effort, a “Kindness Behind the Shield” campaign has been put into place to honor those who have stepped up.



Related:
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“I just want to thank all first responders for stepping up in this,” Batt Chief of Kern County Fire Department Dionisio Mitchell told KGET. “I know that this was big event, but I’m proud of you guys. I’m proud of the work we did.”

“It is a good feeling knowing that our job is to solve problems for those who need help when they dial 911,” firefighter Warren Johnson also told the news outlet.

Please keep the residents affected by this disaster in your prayers. World Central Kitchen is currently working to serve food to those in the Ridgecrest and Trona areas. To find out more or to learn how you can help, please visit their website.

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Sarah Carri is an avid reader and social media guru with a passion for truth and life. Her writing has previously been published in print and online by Focus on the Family and other well known media outlets. Her experience in ministry and Disney entertainment gives her a unique perspective on such topics.
Sarah Carri is an avid reader and social media guru with a passion for truth and life. Her writing has previously been published in print and online by Focus on the Family and other well known media outlets. Her experience in ministry and Disney entertainment gives her a unique perspective on such topics.

Sarah's experience as a successful working stay-at-home mom and business owner has given her the chance to write and research often. She stays up to date on the latest in entertainment and offers her views on celebrity stories based on her wide knowledge of the industry. Her success as a former preschool teacher and licensed daycare provider lend to her know-how on topics relating to parenting and childhood education.

Her thoughts on faith and family issues stem from home life and ministry work. Sarah takes time to attend workshops and classes annually that help her to improve and hone her writing craft. She is a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature program and her writing has been acclaimed by ACFW and ECPA.
Education
Institute of Children's Literature, Art Institute of Phoenix (Advertising), University of California Irvine (Theater), Snow College (Early Childhood Education)
Location
Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Entertainment, Faith




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