local
He survived 2 natural disasters in Venezuela's La Guaira. Now he vows never to return
By Fabiola Sánchez, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 30, 2026
· 3 min read
Venezuelan merchant Grian Serrano has survived two of the country's worst natural disasters: the devastating 1999 mudslides that ravaged the coastal state of La Guaira and, 26 years later, two powerful earthquakes that struck the same region.Bruised around his left eye and across much of his body...
Key takeaway The three were buried beneath rubble and twisted steel when their eight-story apartment building collapsed in the city of Caraballeda in La Guaira, the state hardest hit by the magnitude 7.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
The devastating earthquakes in Venezuela's La Guaira state have a direct connection to the Houston area, where many Venezuelans have relocated in recent years. As the community in Piney Point Village and surrounding areas comes together to support those affected by the disaster, it's likely that local fundraising efforts and aid collections will emerge. The story of Grian Serrano, who survived two natural disasters in La Guaira, may resonate with local residents who have family ties to the region or have experienced their own share of natural disasters, such as Hurricane Harvey. The economic and humanitarian impact of the earthquakes will likely be felt in Houston, as local businesses and organizations with ties to Venezuela respond to the crisis. As the people of La Guaira begin the long process of recovery and rebuilding, the community in Piney Point Village and beyond will be watching and looking for ways to help.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more The Piney Point stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Venezuelan merchant Grian Serrano has survived two of the country's worst natural disasters: the devastating 1999 mudslides that ravaged the coastal state of La Guaira and, 26 years later, two powerful earthquakes that struck the same region.Bruised around his left eye and across much of his body...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Fabiola Sánchez, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter