Locals desperate to talk to relatives in Mexico after massive earthquake

People in and around Mexico City are still living without power or running water following the destructive power of a massive and deadly earthquake.

Yasmin Aguilar-Lopez lives with her mother Teresa Lopez in North Palm Springs but her mom and her aunt Felicitas Lopez where near Mexico City when the earthquake hit.

“I called my mom and the call would not go through, and I called about four times until I called my sister and she said, ‘oh no the calls are not going through anymore’,” Lopez said.

How to reach loved ones in Mexico after the major earthquake

Other Coachella Valley residents like Sergio Gutierrez did get a call through right after the quake. He talked to his uncle.

“They were shaken up and I could tell in his voice that it was shaky. I could hear my aunts and cousins trying to call other areas and other family members to make sure that they were OK and they were having a hard time communicating with them,” Gutierrez said.

Why Mexico City is so vulnerable to earthquakes

Lopez did finally get her mom on the phone after several hours. Her house was fine and no one in her family was hurt.

“I felt relieved it was like a pressure and as soon as I heard her voice I exhaled,” Lopez said.

There’s no telling when Teresa Lopez will be home. Roads between her house in Mexico and the airport are destroyed.

Stay with KESQ and CBS Local 2 for the latest on the recovery effort in Mexico.