At least two people were killed and 11 more injured on Tuesday due to a magnitude-6.4 earthquake off the coast of Ferndale in Humboldt County, California. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services said in statement that the two deaths were “as a result of medical emergencies.”

Power remained off for almost 70,000 customers as of Tuesday afternoon in the county after the earthquake struck about 7.5 miles southwest of Ferndale at 2:34 a.m. PST, activating the U.S. Geological Survey’s Shake Alert system. No tsunami warnings were issued. The area was then rocked by dozens of aftershocks in the same general area, one as strong as magnitude 4.6, resulting in minor damage to some buildings. Moderate damage to properties throughout the Eel River Valley is being reported.

The tremor also damaged the Fernbridge northeast of Ferndale. The California Department of Transportation tweeted along with a photo of the damaged bridge: “State Route 211 is closed while we conduct safety inspections due to possible seismic damage.”  Humboldt County confirmed on its website that a handful of other routes were also impassible.  The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services confirmed on Twitter it is “working with local and state partners to ensure the safety of Californians and availability of resources”, and Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Twitter: “the State is sending in our best people to support … Be prepared for aftershocks. Check gas and water lines for damages or leaks. Stay safe.”

The California Department of Conservation said Tuesday’s quak is the largest to strike Northern California in years, and could be the most powerful since July 2019 when a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck near Ridgecrest in the south of the state.

Editorial credit: Andrey VP / Shutterstock.com