Earthquake!

[Cougarfan]

There was a 6.5 magnitute earthquake just off the coast of Eureka California at about 4:30pm (Pacific time). I spoke to Karen (Oregonluvr) and she is okay. She said it was pretty strong where she is at and her motorhome was rockin' and rollin' pretty good. According to the news reports, there are injuries and damage but she is not one of the injured and there doesn't appear to be any damage to her motorhome. She had to go to work tonight so will look again tomorrow. There is damage to other rv's in the park she's at but nothing catastrophic (5er's off their jack pads, truck that banged into the 5er hitch, etc).

I just wanted to let everone that might see this on the news that Karen is okay.

Laura

[Nasoosie]

Thanks so much, Laura, for the update on Karen. I got on here and was gonna ask if anyone out there on that other coast felt that quake! I knew Karen was pretty near Eureka, where they said the major part of the quake was. Glad to hear she seems to have made it safe and sound.....YAY!

[BarbaraRose]

How far away is Karen from Eureka? Anyone else currently out that way?

Barbie

[Cougarfan]

Barbie,
Karen is in Eureka. She sent me a text message that they had a huge earthquake. After a few tries we were able to connect by phone and she gave me the details. She had to head off to work but I hope to get an update later tonight or tomorrow. If they have power restored in the morning, she may post an update herself.

Laura

[VickieP]

Thanks for keeping us up to date, Karen, I didn't even know anything about it. I guess I'll see it on the 10:00 news.

[mtngal]

My step sister is in Ferndale, everything in her house is on the floor, but no real damage and everyone safe.

[BarbaraRose]

Here is a link showing all the earthquakes(from tiny to this last one) that have happened out west recently (a lot of them!) The earth is always moving out there, they just don't usually feel it...

http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/latestfault.htm

[Cedar518]

Thanks Laura, please keep us updated if you talk with K again, .... glad you could get her on the phone.

[avalen]

wow, certainly glad Karen is ok, can't imagine what kind of fear would go through me
if I was sitting here and the rv started rockin and rollin a bit. I grew up in California
in my elementary years but don't remember any earthquakes, although we had them
all the time. I do remember the big ones on the news AFTER we moved away.
Maybe Karen will post some pictures.

[Christine]

i had heard a blurb about an earthquake but didnt hear where it was located..Glad everyone is ok... !!

[JanetA]

WOW!

[OregonLuvr]

Thanks everyone for your concern. It was quite a time yesterday. I grew up in Southern California and so have been thru alot of Earthquakes BUT this was the BIG ONE for me.

I had just come in from walking the dog and was sitting at my dining room table when I felt the Motorhome kind of rock n roll a bit, at first I thought the wind had kicked up (it tends to do that a bit here at the coast). But then it was shuddering stronger and longer.....it became very violent shaking and things were falling off the counter and off my shelves. I thought the Motorhome was going to come apart. There is nothing you can do but remain rooted to the spot. It didnt last that long but seemed a long time to me. This is the worst one I have ever experienced and I was really scared.

After it was over lots of people out of their rigs and milling around asking everyone if they were "okay". Well I was ok but quite shaken up. Lost all phone service and power. Was able to text but all calls "Failed" . Heard sirens right away and multiple car alarms were going off. Outside we were all walking around looking at the damage. My neighbors truck had slid up to his 5'er and his hood was all bent out of shape. Several 5'ers had slid off their jacks, and were no longer level. One fellows jacks were on cement blocks and the blocks shattered and his 5er was nose down. A small trailer across from me had their front jacks all bent out of shape and he was busy taking them off. The Motorhomes seemed to fair the best. I inspected my jacks as I thought for sure they would be all "bent out of shape". They look fine and straight but will try to raise and lower them next week, as I have to pull in my slides before I do that. I think they are ok.

In town the grocery stores were all closed as they had lots of inside damage. Safeway had two big glass windows blown out. A couple of the gals here in the park were in various stores and people were yelling and crying in the stores they were so scared.

I had to go to the hospital and go to work about an hour after the earthquake... when I got there the fire alarms and lights were flashing all thru the hospital. I am in a newer part of the hospital so we only had a bit of stuff they had to pick up. Took them forever to shut off that dang alarm tho. All our computers were down and all the Biomed people and Maintenance were trying to get us back in shape.

The good part was not many injuries reported. I found out from the ER that they had a couple of fractured hips from falls and a broken shoulder but other than that no real injuries so that was good. I was busy at work so didnt have time to watch the news but got reports from my patients on what was happening.

I guess we had some after shocks but I didnt feel them at work. I am just glad it is OVER and hope it stays that way. The epicenter wasnt very far from my location, about 23 miles is what was reported. We also have a Tsunami warning siren here as they have had one before when a large earthquake hit off of Alaska. They were silent last night so that was good. The hospital is high on a hill but the Motorhome is parked right next to Humboldt Bay.

Several nurses called after they got home from Day shift and told us their power was out but no major damage so that was good.

I finally got thru to CougarFan (Laura) and was able to update her before I left for work. Thanks Laura for posting for me.

My dog is still fairly "glued to my side" as I think we were BOTH traumatized.

Thanks for all your well wishes and hopefully that is the LAST of it while I am here until April.

Karen

It was a 6.5

[BarbaraRose]

Glad to hear you're OK and your MH is not damaged. Poor doggie tho. They seem to know when earthquakes are coming. Did he act any different before it hit? I lived in CA for awhile but never felt one while I was there.

Barbie

[Cedar518]

So very glad you are safe K!

[Liz]

Thanks for the update. I was wondering about you. What a scary time!