The first earthquake struck around 6 p.m. in Venezuela, setting off an uneasy 24 hours for Venezuelans living in Philadelphia. Since then, many have been closely following coverage while trying to reach family members and assess the damage.
Startling images from Venezuela have shaken viewers worldwide, but for those with direct ties to the country, the impact has been especially personal.
"It has been very heartbreaking and shocking for sure," said Valentina Viana, a Venezuelan native now living in Philadelphia.
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Juan Giarrizzo, another Venezuelan native in the city, described the immediate emotional response shared by many in the community.
"The first reaction for many of us is fear, concern," Giarrizzo said.
Both Viana and Giarrizzo said they spent a sleepless night watching the aftermath unfold and attempting to contact loved ones.
"Basically waking up, almost awake almost all night," Viana said.
"Luckily, I have been able to contact my family. They are all OK," Giarrizzo added.
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The city where Viana's family lives was not impacted by the earthquakes.
The back-to-back earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, caused widespread damage, toppling high-rise buildings in the capital city of Caracas and damaging parts of the city's airport.
Viana said the destruction is even more devastating given the country's existing challenges, which include governmental transition and instability.
"We are not prepared or ready for everyday life, let alone a natural disaster," she said.
The scale of the crisis has prompted local Venezuelans to begin organizing support efforts. Giarrizzo, a board member of the local non-profit organization Gente de Venezuela, said the group is evaluating how best to assist.
"We're going to try to act as liaison between those who are here concerned about their family and those who are on the ground who can provide information," Giarrizzo said.
Immediate needs are still being assessed, but organizers anticipate that resources such as tools for search-and-rescue teams will be critical.
Viana emphasized the importance of donating through legitimate channels. She says the I Love Venezuela Foundation is a reliable organization to give donations. Through a GoFundMe, the organization raised more than $1 million in less than 24 hours to help with recovery efforts in Venezuela.
"It's international, and it's official. It's the most reliable that we have," she said.
As the community grapples with the emotional toll of the disaster, many are focused on finding ways to support those impacted back home.
They are doing what they can, from Philadelphia, to help the country they love in the aftermath of two devastating earthquakes.