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6.0 Earthquake Hits Northern California ~ Strongest in 26 years
Sunday, August 24, 2014 10:45
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(CNN) — A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Northern California early Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Eighty-seven patients have been treated or are being treated at Queen of the Valley Hospital following the early morning earthquake, according to the city of Napa. Three people were critically injured.
One “young child” is in critical condition, Napa Division Fire Chief John Callanan said at a news conference. She was hurt when a fireplace collapsed and was flown out of Napa for treatment elsewhere.
It was the strongest earthquake to hit the Bay Area since 1989, when a quake struck during the World Series. Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency.
Sunday’s earthquake struck 4 miles northwest of American Canyon, 6 miles southwest of Napa, and 9 miles southeast of Sonoma, according to the USGS.
Quake location
At least 30 water main breaks and leaks were reported, according to Napa public works director Jack Rochelle. “We have our crews out assessing all those locations,” he said at a news conference. Water will be shut off to any damaged water main as quickly as possible, and the water that is still flowing is safe to drink, he said.
The earthquake triggered six major fires, including several mobile homes that completely burned down, Callanan said. The city has turned Napa High School into a shelter for those who have lost their homes.
People phoned in more than 100 reports of gas leaks and downed power lines, according Napa city officials.
Some historic buildings in downtown Napa showed extensive damage and at least 15,000 customers in and around Sonoma, Napa, and Santa Rosa lost power, according to Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
The USGS estimated, based on their locations, that 15,000 people experienced severe shaking, 106,000 people felt very strong shaking, 176,000 felt strong shaking, and 738,000 felt moderate shaking.
“I’ve got a lot of broken wine, being here in Napa,” said Emily Massimi, who was woken up by the quake. “We tend to collect wine, so I have wine all over my kitchen, and glass, and pictures off the wall and books off of bookshelves,” she told CNN.
At Silver Oak Winery, owner David Duncan spent the morning cleaning up hundreds of broken wine bottles that fell off the shelves.
“Those bottles were very unique,” he said. They were part of his private collection and worth hundreds of dollars. “It’s a tragedy, but it’s nothing we can’t overcome.” Duncan said he plans to open the winery today.
The quake jolted downtown Napa resident Karen Lynch. “The refrigerator flew open and all the food fell out,” she told CNN.
“It was not like other quakes we have felt,” Lynch said. “This was a violent quake, jolting us to and fro.”
There have been at least five aftershocks so far, according to the USGS, ranging from 2.6 to 3.6 magnitude.
Source: http://www.ascensionearth2012.org/2014/08/60-earthquake-hits-northern-california.html
