Monster Earthquake Rocks Anchorage, Alaska

From Popular Mechanics

A powerful earthquake struck the Anchorage, Alaska area Friday morning. Early reports show a 7.0 rating on the Richter scale. No casualties have yet been reported.

A tsunami warning was issued in the surrounding areas, including the Cook Islands, but has now been rescinded. "There is NO tsunami danger from this earthquake," reads the latest message from the U.S Tsunami Warning System.

While a welcome reprieve, early indications show that the earthquake has done substantive damage on its own. The Anchorage Police Department is referring to the event as "massive" and says that there is "major infrastructure damage across Anchorage. Many homes and buildings are damaged."

Power outages are popping up all around the Anchorage area. Chugach Electric Association, a utility that provides much of electricity in Anchorage, is reporting on Facebook that approximately 21,000 customers are currently without power due to the quake. The utility is also publishing a map showing the real-time status of power outages in the area.

Due to the outages, FEMA is urging anyone wishing to make contact with loved ones in the area to reach out over social media and texts instead of traditional phone calls.

Source: Anchorage Daily News

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