6.0 Magnitude Earth Quake Northern California, 6 Miles South of Napa … Strongest Quake since 1989 (VIDEO) (Update: Gas Leaks, Fires, 87 People Injured)
A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Northern California early Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
It was the strongest to hit the Bay Area since 1989, when a quake struck during the World Series.
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.
Updates can be read at City of Napa.org.
Following the 6.0 quake, there are reports of gas leaks, downed power lines, homes on fire and injuries.
A long rolling temblor pegged at 6.0 by the U.S. Geological Survey shook a wide swath of the Bay Area awake early Sunday.
Centered about nine miles south of wine country’s Napa at 3:20 a.m., the quake was felt as far south as Santa Cruz and into Sonoma County. It was the largest earthquake to strike the Bay Area since the Loma Prieta temblor of 1989, the USGS said.
A little more than two hours after the quake, a shallow magnitude 3.6 tremor was reported by the USGS. The aftershock occurred at 5:47 a.m. at a depth of 5.0 miles.
Residents reported power outages in Napa, and fire departments in several counties, along with the California Highway Patrol, were on the lookout for damage to bridges.
Reports were beginning to stream in of gas leaks, downed power lines and at least one fire.
Napa County Fire Department confirms they are swamped with calls, including reports of injuries. It is unclear how severe the injuries are because units are still responding.
Tens of thousands have lost power after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 struck American Canyon at 3:20 PT Sunday morning.
The quake, the USGS says, was 6 miles south-southwest of Napa, and 8 miles north-northwest of Vallejo, California. It had a depth of 6.7 miles, they report.
A 2.5 magnitude aftershock was also reported in the same area at 5:01 AM.
Calls regarding broken gas and water mains as well as property damage reports are rolling in at agencies near the quake’s epicenter. However, law enforcement and emergency agencies across the Bay Area are asking residents not to call 911 unless they have an emergency.
The California Highway Patrol is reporting the westbound off-ramp of state Highway 37 and westbound Interstate Highway 80 to state Highway 37 are closed due to possible damage. The CHP is on the scene inspecting the roadways.
PG&E also says that tens of thousands of customers are currently without power across the Bay Area, particularly in Napa and Sonoma counties.
UPDATE III: VIDEO of damage caused by earthquake.
A long, rolling temblor pegged at 6.0 by the U.S. Geological Survey shook a wide swath of the Bay Area awake early Sunday, causing damage to buildings and sending at least 87 people to a hospital.
At least three people were seriously hurt, including a child who was flown to Santa Rosa Community Hospital. A spokeswoman at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa said most of its injured patients had cuts, bumps and bruises. Many are being treated and released, but some have been admitted.
The quake caused about 50 gas main breaks and 30 water main leaks. The leaks prompted officials by 7 a.m. to open two evacuation centers at Napa High School and Grace Church of Napa Valley. A number of historic buildings have been damaged, including the Sam Kee Laundry, Goodman Library and the Napa County Courthouse, according to the city.