California's Humboldt County Reports "Widespread Damage" After Powerful Earthquake
Update (1000ET):
Some of the first views of building structure damage.
I’m in Rio Dell, just south of Ferndale, can confirm structural damage to this home, from the 6.4 earthquake in Northern California. @NorthBayNews pic.twitter.com/gyZKmenIi2
— Kent Porter (@kentphotos) December 20, 2022
Fernbridge, still closed, crosses the Eel River into Ferndale. #humboldtearthquake @NorthBayNews pic.twitter.com/PFVT03Km3Q
— Kent Porter (@kentphotos) December 20, 2022
HUMBOLDT EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE: Residents in Fortuna, CA are waking up to scenes of broken storefronts and damaged merchandise follow Tuesday morning’s 6.4 magnitude #earthquake. pic.twitter.com/utA97IUUiJ
— Austin Castro (@AustinCastroTV) December 20, 2022
A massive 6.4 earthquake hit Northern California, where I have family, including adult children and an elderly mother. Roads and bridges are damaged. Over 74k residents are out of power. It's pretty chaotic from what I am hearing.
— T⭒Lynn (@LivFreeOrDi3) December 20, 2022
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Update (0845ET):
Humboldt County Emergency Services tweeted the 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck earlier this morning has caused "widespread damages to roads and homes are reported throughout" the area.
Humboldt officials said the county is on "alert" and "be prepared for aftershocks."
"Check gas and water lines for damages or leaks. Exercise caution if traveling," officials concluded in a tweet.
This is a Humboldt Alert. Due to a large earthquake, widespread damages to roads and homes are reported throughout Humboldt County. Be prepared for aftershocks. Check gas and water lines for damages or leaks. Exercise caution if traveling.
— Humboldt Co OES (@HumCoOES) December 20, 2022
To report a gas https://t.co/bqkpuxqNJX
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A 6.4-magnitude earthquake rattled parts of northern California around 0530 ET, according to the US Geological Survey.
USGS said the quake struck at a depth of 10 miles near Eureka in Humboldt County.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had no tsunami warnings declared.
NO TSUNAMI IS EXPECTED. Magnitude 6.4 #earthquake 14 miles from Fortuna. Power is out across the county. DO NOT CALL 911 UNLESS YOU ARE EXPERIENCING AN IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY.
— HumCoSO (@HumCoSO) December 20, 2022
Social media users are reporting damages.
That was a big one. Power is now out in #ferndaleca. House is a mess. #earthquake pic.twitter.com/YEmcv1Urhp
— Caroline Titus (@caroline95536) December 20, 2022
#Earthquake (#Humboldt Co) - Structure fire on Pacific Ave in Rio Dell knocked down by a CAL FIRE engine, possibly same structure as before - conflicting addresses though. Still working on getting mutual aid from outside the county. Gas leak calls continuing over the wider area.
— CA Fire Scanner (@CAFireScanner) December 20, 2022
Follow these guidelines to stay safe after an earthquake: Make sure everyone around you is safe. Avoid turning off your gas without a clear sign that it is leaking. Evacuate if you think a gas line is broken. Check for downed or damaged electric lines. https://t.co/IqKZW4A9s1 pic.twitter.com/S8Hip0TTkp
— Pacific Gas & Electric (@PGE4Me) December 20, 2022
#Earthquake (#Humboldt Co) - Reported structural collapse on Pacific Ave in Rio Dell w/ person possibly unaccounted for. Several gas leaks in Fortuna too. Arcata has a report of someone requiring assistance getting out of a trailer on Stamps Ln.
— CA Fire Scanner (@CAFireScanner) December 20, 2022
People are reporting widespread power outages.
PG&E's outage map has finally refreshed with a lot of the outages following the 6.4 earthquake in Humboldt County. pic.twitter.com/UR9xJbmDZu
— Andy Clausen (@at_clausen) December 20, 2022
According to poweroutage.us, which tracks outages across the country, over 55,000 people in Humboldt are without power.
