Local Chilean-Americans Try To Reach Loved Ones After 8.2-M Quake

HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Chilean-Americans in the Southland were trying to reach family members Tuesday night after an 8.2-magnitude earthquake rocked northern Chile.

The quake, which was centered 61 miles northwest of Iquique, struck at 4:46 p.m. EST. A small tsunami came to shore and a tsunami alert was issued for all of Latin America's Pacific coast.

KCAL9's Rachel Kim spoke with worried locals at Rincon Chileno Restaurant in Hollywood.

One woman was calling family and friends, but kept getting a busy signal. She finally got through to them via Facebook and text.

"My whole family lives in Chile, actually. My mom lives in Peru. I was really scared for her because I heard there was a tsunami probably gonna hit Peru, too," the woman said.

Luis Cid said his family in Santiago were doing okay. He said he was worried about friends in Iquique.

"I can't believe it. I have a friend over there. I hope nothing serious happened," he said.