Injuries, damage reported after strong quake shakes wine country

NAPA, Calif. – Injuries are being reported after a large earthquake rolled through California’s northern Bay Area early today, damaging some buildings and knocking out power to thousands.

The extent of the damage isn’t clear but Napa Division Fire Chief John Callanan says two major injuries have been reported, and hospitals have been very busy with moderate injuries.

Napa Fire Capt. Doug Bridewell says the quake has caused fires and collapses. He himself had to climb over fallen furniture in his home to check on his family before reporting to duty. He says it was the worst shaking he’d ever been in.

The shaking emptied cabinets in homes and store shelves, set off car alarms and had residents of neighbouring Sonoma County running out of their houses.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck just before 3:30 a.m. Pacific time about 10 miles northwest of American Canyon. That’s about 6 miles southwest of Napa, in California wine country.

USGS says it’s the largest earthquake to shake the Bay Area since the 6.9 magnitude Loma Prieta quake in 1989.

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