There are now 39 videos of quake damage on you tube. It looks very bad along the road to the Peace Lodge... what's left of the road. It will be some time before the massive mud slides can be cleared. Who knows when the road wil be rebuilt. So much damage to structures too. My heart goes out to those affected.

10:00 am on local 7 news.. People are still stuck... At La Paz Waterfall and Gardens... It is bad up there... We tried to call the lodge as we have reservations in a few days. No one has awnsered the phones. The towns around Poas are having big problems too.. No water and electric.. Change your plans now...

Per my son Micah & all University of South Dakota students: I just got word all are safe & sound. Thank you God! Thanks for your concern. Daddeo

Daddeo,

Glad your son and the others are safe. I'm sure you didn't sleep much last night.

Let's hope all others will be found safe also.

I'm glad you all are getting good news about your friends and loved ones - let's hope good news keeps coming.

How can we help?

Eressea,

I'm going to try and reach my friend in Heredia next week that I'll be staying with in February. I'm going to ask if I can make a donation to Cruza Roja to assist the areas that have been affected. They may have suggestions for other organizations that are helping.

Scary.. We are flying to San Jose on Thursday. I know all airports are open. We are only in Sj one night.. then on to Osa. I have emailed Carmen at the Villa Bonita. We hope to stay there again.We have a reservation. I hope they are safe I have not heard from them yet. That is a big quake.

death toll now at 14 with 22 missing. Very sad.

we just returned from Peace Lodge on the 23rd of Dec. My heart goes out to everyone there and everyone with family and friends in the area.

This news story http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7819094.stm lists 10 people as having been buried at La Paz by a landslide: "Red Cross officials said 10 of the victims were buried by a landslide at the popular La Paz waterfall."

I just read a second ago that the 14 number was a mistake and it's only four. I also read that ten tourists were swept away on a platform at La Paz but all are safe.

Yes, if anyone finds out an organization we can donate to, please post it.

My heart goes out to everyone there. I hope as time goes on there is positive news in the searches. It's very sad to see the videos on you tube.

I will try to call Humberto and Carmen at Hotel Villa Bonita tonight. I would imagine your plans to stay with them are safe. Seems most of the damage is closer to Poas/La Paz/Vara Blanca area. May be some window damage or similar at HVB.

OMG, I just read this on CNN. I hope like heck everyone over there is ok.

Here's a news story that mentions "On Call International" >>> http://uk.sys-con.com/node/804948

It advises that . . . . .

anyone attempting to connect with family members or friends traveling or living in the region should call the On Call International hotline: 800-576-5172. Or, they can call On Call International collect at 603-328-1924. Callers should have as much information as possible readily available at the time of call, including tour operator name, itineraries, hotel information, or cell phone numbers.

thanks Shillmac... let me know what you find out. I think you are right about staying there. But I would like to know for sure. Very scary.

I just received word from Xandari that everyone is OK at the hotel, and they were not affected by the quake. North of Poas is very bad, they say.

Wow, I hope everyone is ok, what a shame about the Peace Lodge....

Youtube has a recent video from the local Costa Rica TV station with a helicopter going over the area, looks pretty bad.

JBX - Since this has happened, I was wondering if there is a number to give to family members in case something like this should happen when we are traveling. I always give our itinerary with hotel phone numbers, but in case of a disaster, those might not be helpful. Is On Call Int'l the usual service that provides that type of help? What about the US Embassy?