Quake Knocks Down Palm Desert Woman

People from all over the desert are still talking about what they experienced as the earthquake struck on Sunday afternoon. The shaking actually threw one Palm Desert woman to the floor. She’s thanking the emergency preparedness team at her apartment complex for helping and getting her through the shock.

“Next thing I knew it, I was on the floor,” said Mary Shaw, resident at Las Serenas Apartments.

When the quake hit, preparation and planning were put to the test.

“It’s scary, I try to calm them down and get them back on their feet,” said Wade Tucker, emergency preparedness crew member at Las Serenas Apartments.

The Las Serenas Apartment complex is a senior citizen community in Palm Desert. It’s equip with an emergency crew made up of residents ready to help when the time comes and it did.

“I thought I was loosing it, an earthquake didn’t even come to mind,” said Shaw.

“My wife was shaken up, I told her to calm down and stay there and everything would be okay,” said Tucker.

Next Tucker set out to check on residents. Everyone was fine, but Shaw had an accident.

“All I felt was that I was going to fall, I didn’t consider anything,” said Shaw.

Shaw left behind her walker and went into the kitchen to get some medication. When she reached for the bottle, the quake hit and she fell.

It threw me,” said Shaw.

She hit her head and says everything went black for a moment.

“I thought I have to get out of here, but I couldn’t push the door,” said Shaw.

That’s when Tucker saved the day.

“He was right there and picked me up,” said Shaw.

Fortunately Shaw was okay, Tucker says it could’ve been a lot worse and this is a reminder to prepared now.

“Be ready, it comes on fast,” said Tucker.