Rio Del Dec. 21 (BNA): A powerful 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck California’s far north coast before dawn Tuesday, collapsing homes and roads, destroying utility lines, and leaving thousands of residents without running water and electricity.
At least 12 people were injured, and two more died due to “medical emergencies” that occurred during or immediately after the quake, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.
The quake struck at 2:30 a.m. PST and was followed by about 80 aftershocks, with its epicenter 215 miles (350 km) north of San Francisco off the coast of Humboldt County, a largely rural area known for its redwood forests, local seafood, and timber. industry and dairy farms, Reuters reported.
The area is also known for relatively frequent seismic activity, although the most recent earthquake caused the most disruption in recent years.
Authorities said Tuesday’s quake caused a building fire – by cutting the gas line for a hot water heater – and caused the collapse of at least two other buildings. The fire broke out quickly
It was put out, and fire brigades rescued a resident who was briefly trapped in the home, according to fire officials.
About twenty homes were so badly damaged that they were given “red cards”, declared unsafe for habitation. Most of them were in Rio del Rey, a town of about 3,400 residents who bore the brunt of the quake.
Water service to the entire community has been shut down, and City Manager Kyle Knope said he expects 100 to 150 residents will likely end up there once housing inspectors assess all the structural damage there.
According to the PowerOutage.us electrical grid tracking website, about 79,000 homes and businesses were without power across the province in the immediate aftermath of the quake.
SM