Big Shaker In Alaska This AM

[ARtraveler]

We are all right. We did feel the quake which happened about 1:30 AM. It was either a 6.8 or 7.1--depending on which news report you want to believe. The duration was 1 - 3 minutes depending on where you were. Epicenter was down on the Kenai Penninsula. Lots of minor damage this time. Stuff came off the walls and bookcases, and just fell down. They evacuated 20 homes in Kenai because of a gas leak. Power was out all over the area--once again depending on where. We got lucky. The power stayed on. A stretch of road was also damaged down on the Kenai. Probably lasted 1.5 to 2 minutes here--but felt much longer. Lots of rock and roll in our home. When we put the lights on and started to look around, the chandelier in the kitchen/living room was swaying quite a bit. The cats headed for cover and stayed there for a couple hours.

[SpyderAnn01]

Not a great way to wake up. Glad you didn't have any severe damage.

[Lin]

Glad to hear you guys and the cats are okay.

[ARtraveler]

The Kenai Fire Department says it is battling three structure fires on Lilac Lane this morning, an apparent escalation from the initial single fire.
"Earlier this morning a second home exploded on Lilac Lane as utility crews continue to isolate the gas leaks," the department posted to its official Facebook page at about 8:10 a.m.
ORIGINAL STORY:

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake rocked Southcentral Alaska early Sunday, striking at 1:30 a.m. in Pedro Bay, according the U.S. Geological Survey.The Alaska Earthquake Center reported the magnitude as 6.8.
The quake -- centered about 162 miles southwest of Anchorage -- left thousands of people without power overnight. As many as 22 Kenai-area homes were evacuated following an apparent gas leak, said Kenai Police Chief Gus Sandahl.
Police in Anchorage and Kenai report no known injuries or major damage.
The Kenai gas leak was discovered on Lilac Lane following a fire that was quickly extinguished, Sandahl said. "There was a strong smell of gas in that subdivision. And then the fire department and police department began evacuating the neighborhood."

Earthquake rips K-Beach Road

An armory is being used as a temporary shelter for about 20 people, he said. In addition to Lilac Lane, a few nearby homes were evacuated on Cook Inlet View Drive.
Kenai police said residents can call the shelter at 395-4901 or call the police department at 283-7879 to check on the status of the leaks. Enstar has joined firefighters at the scene, working to locate and contain the ruptures.

The shaker ripped a section of Kalifornsky Beach (K-Beach) Road at Mile 1, making the road impassable, said Brad Nelson, a health and safety officer with Central Emergency Services. The road connects Kasilof and Soldotna. The damage is at the Kasilof end, he said.
The Alaska Earthquake Center recorded some 30 aftershocks, including a magnitude 4.3 quake that hit at 3:37 a.m.
"Everything was flying off the shelves," said Bob Candopolous of Seward. "It was tough to get to the front door to get out of the house."
No tsunamis were expected as a result of the quake.

[Bob Denman]

The important thing, is that you guys are okay!

[GloryRyders]

.........glad that you are OK...........smart cats!

[R FUN]

Good to hear you folks came through it O.K. Thanks for letting us know.
Roger & Linda

[PrairieSpyder]

I'm glad you guys and the cats are OK. And thanks for keeping the quakes at bay while we were there!

[Cruzr Joe]

Glad to hear you guys and the cats are okay.

x2

[arntufun]

Sorry about that AK....................


I installed new pipes on my bike and had to start it. I'll let you folks know next time so your a little more prepared !!!!!!

[ARtraveler]

Sorry about that AK....................


I installed new pipes on my bike and had to start it. I'll let you folks know next time so your a little more prepared !!!!!!

Nice pipes. A warning in advance would be appreciated.

[Chupaca]

That you are all okay. Being from Lima Peru I know what it is all like and not fun. While in LA went through some good ones as well. First time in a wood frame house and that is 10 times worse. Hope you don't have any structural damage...hope you don't have any aftershocks either...

[ARtraveler]

That you are all okay. Being from Lima Peru I know what it is all like and not fun. While in LA went through some good ones as well. First time in a wood frame house and that is 10 times worse. Hope you don't have any structural damage...hope you don't have any aftershocks either...

Have a wood frame home and yes, it was a bit scary. The house started to shake and rattle a bit at first (what we are used to), then, the power of the quake increased and the house began to take on a sway. When the windows started rattling, and the glassware began to tinkle, and then a couple thumps from things falling down, we knew this was a pretty big one.

There were many aftershocks--but at that point, who cares about a 4.3?

This particular quake was felt from the Aluetian Islands way up past Fairbanks (affecting over 400,000 people). Most damage was near the epicenter--Kenai Peninsula.