WATCH: It was nearly a minute of pure terror as a massive 7.0 magnitude struck near Anchorage this morning. The shaking damaged buildings and homes, and caused roads to buckle. April Lawrence reports.
A tsunami warning that was issued for coastal zones in southern Alaska was cancelled and no tsunami was observed after back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.0 and 5.7 magnitudes near Anchorage.
Photo courtesy Twitter/Josh Bierma.
The warning went into effect for parts of the state’s Cook Inlet and southern Kenai peninsula minutes after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake rocked buildings in downtown Anchorage at 8:29 a.m. local time (9:29 a.m. PT). The warning was in place for 90 minutes before it was cancelled. Residents in low-lying areas went to higher ground during that period.
CANCELLATION: M7.0 005mi N Anchorage, Alaska 0829AKST Nov 30: No tsunami observed
— NWS Tsunami Alerts (@NWS_NTWC) November 30, 2018
Emergency Management BC also said there was no tsunami threat to B.C.
No tsunami threat to #BC https://t.co/BMD646Bord
— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) November 30, 2018
The first quake in Alaska struck around 9:30 a.m. PT and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) says it was at a depth of 41 kilometres, about 13 km north of Anchorage. The magnitude size reported has ranged from 6.8 to 7.2, but the (USGS) last posted 7.0.
Fri Nov 30 18:31:17 UTC 2018 event picture pic.twitter.com/eJlW5LcR6h
— NWS Tsunami Alerts (@NWS_NTWC) November 30, 2018
An aftershock registering a magnitude 5.7 hit about seven minutes later, nearly five kilometres northwest of Anchorage. There were then multiple aftershocks in the region, with one as high as 5.1-magnitude.
7.2 earthquake here in Anchorage, Alaska. This is a video my dad took from the Minnesota exit ramp from international. ?? pic.twitter.com/1yOGj3yz9q
— sarah m (@sarahh_mars) November 30, 2018
People were running out of buildings in Anchorage, and many have shown the damage caused by the quake on social media.
— Josh Bierma (@jlennyb) November 30, 2018
Footage from Snapchat maps on the earthquake in Anchorage. pic.twitter.com/5TPoHfpT7N
— ThorneSC (@ThorneSC) November 30, 2018
6.7 earthquake just shook us all up. My family all ok. ?? Here’s the grocery store my husband was at… pic.twitter.com/STGySYpPtW
— Elisha G. Brownson (@eg_brownson) November 30, 2018
Pipes broken pic.twitter.com/a60pf39JyH
— Chase (@Chase_AK) November 30, 2018
#HolyCrap #Earthquake #anchorage pic.twitter.com/88MR0UVO3C
— Chase (@Chase_AK) November 30, 2018
KTVA’s newsroom felt the blow of the earthquake this morning. #anchorage #alaska #earthquake #weather pic.twitter.com/d1SaxriGw9
— Cassie Schirm (@cassieschirmtv) November 30, 2018
Earthquake just happened right now i ’m actually shaking pic.twitter.com/PoZGOlJGWS
— Alyson Petrie (@AlysonPetrie7) November 30, 2018
#earthquake @ktva pic.twitter.com/JWwDzWH674
— Prem (@MrPniroula) November 30, 2018
Major #earthquake damage to the only road between #Anchorage and #Wasilla / #Palmer #Alaska. Photo from @gbreshears pic.twitter.com/qPzGjzFIhU
— AOC (@AOC_Security) November 30, 2018
More pictures of the newsroom damage #ktva #alaska #weather #earthquake pic.twitter.com/PvBpYWRAnt
— Cassie Schirm (@cassieschirmtv) November 30, 2018
The Anchorage Police Department, which is operational after the earthquake, said they are handling multiple situations. The department said there is major infrastructure damage across the city and many homes and buildings are damaged. Many roads and bridges are also closed.
Residents are advised to stay off the roads if they don’t need to drive, seek shelter, check on relatives and friends if possible and only call 911 if it is an emergency.
There no immediate reports of any deaths or serious injuries.
From the @Alaska_DHSS emergency operations center: The Anchorage Emergency Operations Center reports that several shelters are available if you can't get home or your heat is out. If you are downtown, you can go to shelters at either the @EganCenter or the @DenainaCenter.
— Alaska DHSS (@Alaska_DHSS) November 30, 2018
“We thank the people of Anchorage who are responding to this situation with calm. There are some infrastructure damages, the chiefs will report on what they are. We reassure people that we are on top of this situation.” – @mayorethananc #Anchorage #earthquake #Alaska
— Anchorage Police Department (@APDInfo) November 30, 2018
“We are running unified command. APD & AFD are managing this situation with the municipality. We are still setting up. Working on damage assessment. Thank you for not calling 911 for minor things. We need it for major emergencies.” – AFD Chief Hettrick#Anchorage #earthquake
— Anchorage Police Department (@APDInfo) November 30, 2018
“Stay off phone lines if you possibly can after checking on family. We need phone lines open. We are responding to significant events only until we can get a I’ll assessment. Looking for major infrastructure issues.” – AFD Chief Hettrick#Anchorage #earthquake #Alaska
— Anchorage Police Department (@APDInfo) November 30, 2018
“We have a significant presence in the area. Both shifts are on duty. We do have a lot of officers out in the field. We’re in the process of evaluating damage around town, coordinating with th Alaska State Troopers and Nat’l Guard” – APD Chief Doll#Anchorage #earthquake
— Anchorage Police Department (@APDInfo) November 30, 2018
Alaska Governor Bill Walker has issued a disaster declaration and says he has been in contact with the White House. An incident command center has been established at Joint Base Elmendorf.
(1/2) After a major earthquake, I have issued a declaration of disaster & I have been in direct contact with the White House. Major General Laurie Hummel & I are now working w emergency responders to make sure Alaskans are safe.
— Governor Bill Walker (@AkGovBillWalker) November 30, 2018
(2/2) From the incident command center established at Joint Base Elmendorf and Richardson we are closely monitoring reports of aftershocks and assessing damage to roads, bridges and buildings.
My family is praying for yours. God bless Alaska.
— Governor Bill Walker (@AkGovBillWalker) November 30, 2018
Aerial view of the Minnesota Drive ramp damage at West International Airport Road. pic.twitter.com/AASlWSUVqp
— Governor Bill Walker (@AkGovBillWalker) November 30, 2018
Oak Bay police said watching and listening to video of the earthquake shows how frightening an earthquake can be and how little time there is when it happens.
Watch (and listen) to this video as it really gives an appreciation of how frightening an earthquake can be and how little time & control we have when its happening. #BePrepared #oakbay & #yyj https://t.co/h1yxMBVJzZ
— Oak Bay Police (@OakBayPolice) November 30, 2018
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