California earthquake leaves tens of thousands without power | Earthquakes News

No injuries were immediately reported in the 6.4 magnitude quake off of northern California.

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of northern California, cutting power to tens of thousands.

The quake, about 24 miles off the coast of the port city of Eureka, hit at  2:34 am (10:00 GMT) on Tuesday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

No injuries were immediately reported and the USGS said an initial assessment showed a low likelihood of casualties.

Meanwhile, the National Tsunami Warning Center said a tsunami was not expected.

Good morning Redwood Coast CA. Did you feel the magnitude 6.4 quake about 7.5 miles southwest of Ferndale at 2:34 am? The #ShakeAlert system was activated. See: pic.twitter.com/eMSUAT3inw

— USGS ShakeAlert (@USGS_ShakeAlert) December 20, 2022

Still, the earthquake cut power to more than 70,000 people in Humboldt County according to poweroutage.us

“Power is out across the county. Do not call 911 unless you are experiencing an immediate emergency,” Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services tweeted.

Small rockslides were reported and at least one roadway buckled during the quake, which was followed by dozens of small aftershocks.

Road Closure: State Route 211 at Fernbridge, Humboldt County is CLOSED. The bridge is closed while we conduct safety inspections due to possible seismic damage. pic.twitter.com/601oOQRz2o

— Caltrans District 1 (@CaltransDist1) December 20, 2022

Humboldt County officials warned of reports of “widespread damages to roads and homes”.

Police in the city of Ferndale also moved to close a bridge that the California Highway Patrol reported had cracks following the quake, KRCR-TV reported.

Caroline Titus, a resident of Ferndale, tweeted a video in her darkened home of toppled furniture and smashed dishes.

“Our home is a 140-year-old Victorian. The north/south shaking is very evident in what fell,” she said.

“That was a big one,” she added in a subsequent tweet.

Our home is a 140-year-old Victorian. The north/south shaking is very evident in what fell. This was our coffee station. Sorry for dark video. Power still out. #ferndaleca #earthquake pic.twitter.com/md1WKCS58Z

— Caroline Titus (@caroline95536) December 20, 2022

The earthquake followed a smaller magnitude 3.6 earthquake that struck  about 402 kilometres (250 miles) near San Francisco on Saturday.

California is regularly shaken by tremors and seismologists have warned an earthquake capable of causing widespread destruction is likely to hit the state in the next 30 years.

A 6.7-magnitude earthquake in 1994 in Northridge, northwest of Los Angeles, left at least 60 people dead and caused an estimated $10 billion in damage.

A 6.9 quake in San Francisco in 1989 claimed the lives of 67 people.