Stuck Home? Put Your Skills to Use and Magnitude 6.4 Earthquake Causes Injuries And Damage Along Northern California Coast
Reports of widespread damage to homes and roads and tens of thousands without power in Humboldt County
A major 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Northern California coast near Eureka Tuesday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey reported, causing structural damage, power outages, and some injuries.
The earthquake occurred at around 2:34 p.m. Tuesday and the epicenter was reported to be off the coast of Humboldt County, California. (Magnitude 6.4 Earthquake Causes Injuries And Damage Along Northern California Coast)
“Due to a major earthquake, extensive damage to roads and homes has been reported throughout Humboldt County,” the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said in a tweet.
In addition to Eureka, the cities of Ferndale and Fortuna are nearby, according to the epicenter of the earthquake as reported by the US Geological Survey. The popular Humboldt Redwoods State Park is also nearby. (Magnitude 6.4 Earthquake Causes Injuries And Damage Along Northern California Coast)
“As of 5:45 am, over 70,000 customers were without power. M.”, the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services said on its Facebook page.
The Department Is Not Aware Of When The Power Will Be Fully Restored.
“Two people have been confirmed injured,” emergency services officials said.
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Area residents and reporters reported scattered gas leaks throughout the region and property damage ranging from collapsed structures to fallen shelves and other household fixtures in rural areas.
“Extensive damage to roads and homes has been reported, particularly in the Eel River Valley,” the county office of emergency services said.
A swarm of aftershocks, including a magnitude 4.6 one in the city of Rio del Del, several miles inland from the coast, also rumbled in Humboldt County on Tuesday morning.
The US Geological Survey reported at least 13 aftershocks within 45 minutes of the initial 6.4 earthquake. Aftershocks occurred mainly inland to the east of the original earthquake. (Magnitude 6.4 Earthquake Causes Injuries And Damage Along Northern California Coast)
The ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system, in collaboration with the USGS and covering the West Coast, rings smartphones and wakes thousands of Bay Area residents to notify them of an earthquake. Local Alert also warned that they could feel some tremors, although it did not seem to be much.
The National Weather Service has denied the threat of a tsunami.
