Eureka Earthquake, 01/09/2010 (Glendale, Nice, Ferndale: transfer, construction, living) - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

TheDragonslayer · 01-09-2010, 07:15 PM

We had a significant earthquake today here in Humboldt county. The epicenter was 26 miles off the coast of Eureka and shook longer than the Loma Prieta did, though it was just a 6.5. Nothing of ours fell, but it scared the wits out of the dogs and my neighbors from Pennsylvania. We have had so far six aftershocks between 3.8 and 3.0. I moved here in 1992 and within one month we had a 7.1 and a 6.9 not far from todays earthquake was. A few years ago we had a 7.1 about 80 miles off the coast. Almost all the towns up here are without power, we have a generator for backup, otherwise I would not be here typing. This was quite a roller, the first shock rocked north and south then got heavy in the east and west direction.

coyoteskye · 01-09-2010, 08:02 PM

Thanks for your report.
Glad you and your friends from PA are o.k.
So far, no serious injuries have been reported ... and no tsunami threat according to USGS.

californio sur · 01-09-2010, 08:10 PM

That was a strong earthquake. Good thing it was off the coast instead of closer to shore. Do you have power back? Any landslides?

SandyCo · 01-09-2010, 08:15 PM

I'm glad you guys are okay!

That sounds a bit scary. After the Northridge quake, I've had a phobia about being woken up in the middle of the night with everything shaking around me - and I was living 20+ miles away in Glendale at the time!

Cassius Magnus · 01-09-2010, 09:26 PM

It was fun, but not big enough to be really exciting. I have electricity, but when I was driving around earlier most of the city was dark. Too bad it's not a clear night. The entire city of Blue Lake is expected to be without power until tomorrow night. The police scanner is still full of chatter. My favorite call, from dispatch:

This is not a good time to be doing vehicle checks on the main channel. Your subject is clear, but try to keep traffic stops to a minimum.

mdvaden · 01-09-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDragonslayer

We had a significant earthquake today here in Humboldt county. The epicenter was 26 miles off the coast of Eureka and shook longer than the Loma Prieta did, though it was just a 6.5. Nothing of ours fell, but it scared the wits out of the dogs and my neighbors from Pennsylvania. We have had so far six aftershocks between 3.8 and 3.0. I moved here in 1992 and within one month we had a 7.1 and a 6.9 not far from todays earthquake was. A few years ago we had a 7.1 about 80 miles off the coast. Almost all the towns up here are without power, we have a generator for backup, otherwise I would not be here typing. This was quite a roller, the first shock rocked north and south then got heavy in the east and west direction.

So do you use dialup, or like cable so the data still transfers?

I bought a generator when we were in Applegate Valley near Grants Pass, due to snow. Nice item to have. Don't really need it in Beaverton. May sell it. It's 5000 watts. Enough to run the refrigerator, 2 small heaters on medium, and a few lamps.

TheDragonslayer · 01-09-2010, 09:50 PM

We have cable internet and two phones through the cable company and all that went down. We got cable and internet back for a brief while then it quit again. My standard ATT land line worked fine once we started the generator. Cell phone reception was hit and miss due to so many calls on the circuits. We got our electricity back just minutes ago and the internet with it. I checked USGS and so far we have had 13 aftershocks with two at 4.2 and 4.5. 26 miles off the coast is not too far. The earthquakes in March of 92 were about in the same place, but on the coast and those nearly destroyed Ferndale. We were within 10 miles of those and it was very exciting.

seedy · 01-10-2010, 07:10 AM

When I was visiting up there I think I remember reading that Petrolia is where all the fault lines meet. Sounds like Eureka gets some of the side action. Does Humboldt have earthquake construction codes?

DMenscha · 01-10-2010, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seedy

Does Humboldt have earthquake construction codes?

The State of California has construction codes designed to mitigate the effects of EQ's. The national UBC (Uniform Building Code) also addresses construction practices in hazardous areas.

nmnita · 01-10-2010, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDragonslayer

We had a significant earthquake today here in Humboldt county. The epicenter was 26 miles off the coast of Eureka and shook longer than the Loma Prieta did, though it was just a 6.5. Nothing of ours fell, but it scared the wits out of the dogs and my neighbors from Pennsylvania. We have had so far six aftershocks between 3.8 and 3.0. I moved here in 1992 and within one month we had a 7.1 and a 6.9 not far from todays earthquake was. A few years ago we had a 7.1 about 80 miles off the coast. Almost all the towns up here are without power, we have a generator for backup, otherwise I would not be here typing. This was quite a roller, the first shock rocked north and south then got heavy in the east and west direction.

I remember a similar one in 1975 I believe. It was about 3am, registered above 6 and luckily like yours, was off the coast in Eureka.

Nita