Mexicali beginning to return to normal after Sunday’s earthquake

Businesses in downtown Mexicali were starting to reopen Tuesday as power was increasingly restored for the first time since Sunday’s 7.2 earthquake just south of here.

A few people were camped out in tents in the city’s parks. But overall the city of a million plus appeared to slowly be returning to normal.

Shopping centers and fast-food restaurants here were also reopening. The flow of people across the border continues but has been greatly reduced.

“Mexicali’s been through a lot,” said Eloisa Ramirez, 37, who was shopping downtown. “We’ll get through this.”

Meanwhile, across the border in Calexico, Calif., clean-up operations of the downtown area have been completed. But most buildings remain red-tagged.

 

–Tony Perry in Mexicali