President Flores has named General Perdomo Chief of Operation for the disaster. As such, the El Salvadoran military is now taking the lead, with COEN working in parallel. The El Salvadoran military has established liaison officers within civilian agencies involved in the response. COEN also is providing information to the public regarding measures to prevent additional earthquake damage and loss of life. COEN reports that 273 landslides have occurred, resulting in blocked roads and the destruction of houses, particularly in the Las Colinas district of Santa Tecla, where several hundred houses are buried.
Additional landslides are likely to occur as aftershocks continue.
Consular Officers from the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador visited all areas of El Salvador, except La Union, on January 14 to assess damages and contact hospitals and police to inquire about American citizens possibly in need of assistance. Consular Officers report damage in most areas in the southern and eastern portions of the country, but little damage in the north. They reported that the Pan American Highway is open from north to south and that most other roads are accessible. Those structures with adobe walls and clay-tiled roofs experienced the most damage. The Mexican military has set up a kitchen there, where they are providing food and water.