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2 dead, 70,000 without power as 6.4 earthquake jolts northern California causing 'widespread damage'

The quake was followed by dozens of aftershocks in the area, with one as strong as 4.6 magnitude

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: A 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Northern California early Tuesday, December 20, causing widespread damage. At least two people died from medical emergencies and 11 others injured while thousands were left without electricity, as per the officials. The epicenter of the quake was recorded in the Pacific about 9 miles from the city of Ferndale, the US Geological Survey said with Humboldt County Sheriff's office warning residents of aftershocks. The residents are now waking to scenes of damage.

About 70,000 customers were left without electricity as of about 1 pm PT, according to PowerOutage.us. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) in an update said that the damage assessment work continues. California Highway Patrol (CHP) along with local law enforcement officials also responded to the historic Fernbridge in Ferndale California that cracked "due to possible seismic damage" in four places, spreading the debris in the roadway and forcing the officials to close the road.

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"This is a Humboldt Alert. Due to a large earthquake, widespread damages to roads and homes are reported throughout Humboldt County. Be prepared for aftershocks. Check gas and water lines for damages or leaks. Exercise caution if traveling. To report a gas." Humboldt Sheriff's office tweeted.  "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," Caltrans District1 tweeted.

Though a tsunami threat was ruled out by the Humboldt County's Office of Emergency Services, around 72,515 utility customers were without power as of 9.33 am on Tuesday, according to the online outage tracker Poweroutage.us. "NO TSUNAMI IS EXPECTED. Magnitude 6.4 earthquake 14 miles from Fortuna. Power is out across the county. DO NOT CALL 911 UNLESS YOU ARE EXPERIENCING AN IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY," Humboldt County's Office of Emergency Services said in a tweet. "Following this morning’s M6.4 earthquake in Humboldt County, the State is sending in our best people — Cal_OES is working closely with CaltransHQ CAL_FIRE CA_EMSA CHP_HQ to support. Be prepared for aftershocks. Check gas and water lines for damages or leaks. Stay safe," California Governor's office said.

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake occurred approximately 20 km to the southwest of the latest quake that occurred one year prior, on December 20, 2021. US Geological Survey said on its website. In the past century, there have been at least 40 other earthquakes of magnitude 6 or larger, including six earthquakes of magnitude 7 or larger, within 250 km of the December 20, 2022 earthquake. These prior earthquakes primarily occurred along the Mendocino transform fault, in the Cascadia subduction zone, or within the Juan de Fuca/Gorda plate, it noted as per NBC.