A 6.4-magnitude earthquake shook Northern California early Tuesday, leaving tens of thousands without power and at least two people injured.
The quake struck the Eureka area just after 2:30 a.m. local time, according to theU.S. Geological Survey. It marked the strongest earthquake California had seen in years,USA Todayreported.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said at least two people were injured, reportedNBC News. One person broke their hip and another had a head injury, per the outlet.
Both individuals are expected to recover, a sheriff’s official told theAssociated Press. As of Tuesday afternoon, there have been no reports of death.
California earthquake.USGS
Sgt. Caleb Carsey with the California Highway Patrol in Humboldt County described the earthquake as “pretty violent,” noting there’s been extensive damage to roads and homes in Rio Dell, Fortuna, Ferndale and Scotia in the Eel River Valley, according toTheLos Angeles Times.
One local resident toldThe New York Timesthat although he had been through other earthquakes, he’d “never felt one that hard.”
The “earth was just slamming up and down,” Joe Filyau, 59, told the newspaper. “Everything in the house is just everywhere.”
As of Tuesday afternoon,nearly 72,000 people are without powerin Humboldt County, according to Poweroutage.us.
“Power is out across the county,“Humboldt County Offices of Emergency Services tweetedearly Tuesday morning, adding in a follow-up message that residents should beprepared for aftershocks.
California earthquake.Caltrans District 1/AP/Shutterstock
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Officials in Humboldt County are also advising residents to “check gas and water lines for damages or leaks” and to “exercise caution if traveling.”
Out of caution, a portion of the historic Fernbridge in Ferndale was closed for inspection due to “possible seismic damage,” theCalifornia Department of Transportationshared on social media.
According to the National Tsunami Warning Center, there’sno threat of tsunami.
source: people.com
