San Clemente native survives Nepal earthquake

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. (KABC) -- Two San Clemente parents received an early morning message from their daughter who has spent 20 months in Nepal as a Peace Corps volunteer.

Katherine and Duncan Wilson were relieved to know their daughter Krysal Grothe, 28, is alive and safe. She told her parents she was at the top floor of a brick building in Kathmandu when the powerful quake hit.

"It was just crazy shaking and it just went on forever. And she said it was like rolling and shaking simultaneously," her mother said.

Her father added that the earthquake knocked her over and she ended up with some "bumps and bruises."

The Wilson's had just returned more than a week ago from visiting Grothe in Nepal. They said they still can't believe much of what they saw and captured on camera is now in ruins.

"I took pictures of people standing in windows and we looked at them today and I thought to myself, 'Those people are probably dead,'" Duncan Wilson said.

They have been able to speak to Krysla over the phone, but most of the communication has been through social media and text messages.

Grothe's sister, Danaan, is scheduled to return to Nepal for a visit in July. She said she's anxious to see her sister and all the Nepalese who have become her family.

Grothe made it to the U.S. Embassy where she is staying with other Peace Corps volunteers. Her family remains glued to their phones anxiously waits to hear if she will stay in Nepal to help with relief efforts or if she'll be able to return home.