Large Quake Causes Injuries, Damage In Northern California

Gov. Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency for the part of California's wine country hard-hit by the largest earthquake the state has experienced since 1989.

Sunday, August 24th 2014, 10:13 am

By: News On 6


Gov. Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency for the part of California's wine country hard-hit by a large earthquake.

The governor issued a proclamation directing state agencies to help respond to the 6.0-magnitude quake that struck early Sunday about 6 miles from the city of Napa.

Napa Fire Department Operations Chief John Callanan says the city has exhausted its own resources extinguishing six fires, transporting injured residents, searching homes for anyone who might be trapped and answering calls about gas leaks, water main breaks and downed power lines.

Callanan says three people are reported to be in critical condition, including a young child who was struck by part of a fireplace and airlifted to a specialty hospital for a neurological evaluation.

Inspectors are evaluating damaged buildings, bridges and roads.

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Napa Fire Capt. Doug Bridewell says the quake has caused fires and collapses. He himself had to climb over fallen furniture in his home to check on his family before reporting to duty. He says it was the worst shaking he'd ever been in.

The shaking emptied cabinets in homes and store shelves, set off car alarms and had residents of neighboring Sonoma County running out of their houses.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck just before 3:30 a.m. Pacific time about 10 miles northwest of American Canyon. That's about 6 miles southwest of Napa, in California wine country.

USGS says it's the largest earthquake to shake the Bay Area since the 6.9 magnitude Loma Prieta quake in 1989.

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