Aftershocks rattle Eureka residents

Reporting from Los Angeles and Eureka, Calif. — The day after a powerful earthquake rocked the Northern California city of Eureka, minor aftershocks continued to rattle windows Sunday, and officials surveyed an estimated $12.5 million in damage.

Nevertheless, residents were relieved that the 6.5 magnitude temblor did not cause more serious damage when it struck offshore Saturday about 33 miles southwest of the coastal city of 26,000.

“It appears we dodged a bullet. It could have been far, far worse,” said Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata). “I think it was a very scary experience for everybody.”

Chesbro spoke at a news conference at which officials announced that most of the area’s key infrastructure -- including roads, sewers and bridges -- survived intact. They also reported that electricity was restored by Sunday morning to more than 36,000 customers.

The largest aftershock registered 4.5, but by Sunday night, experts said the possibility of another large aftershock was small.

The most serious injury attributed to the quake was a broken hip suffered by an elderly woman who fell, but dozens went to hospitals because of minor scrapes, bruises and bouts of anxiety, authorities said.

Eureka Fire Chief Eric M. Smith said he recorded 119 reports of damage to public and private property in the city, and about 20 people were believed to have been displaced when their homes were deemed unsafe.

Most of the displaced residents came from an apartment building near the center of the city. On Sunday, it was wrapped in red-and-white caution tape after officials reviewed shattered windows and structural cracks. City officials determined that the building’s 14 tenants would not be able to return unless an engineer’s evaluation later cleared the building.

Red Cross workers were on the scene to help those residents and others displaced by the quake settle into temporary lodging.

In downtown Eureka, business owner Chris Larsen had been preparing to open a new electronics store, but he said he was worried that the building might no longer be safe. He pointed to a spot high on the adjacent brick building’s front facade that had a deep crack and said authorities cordoned off part of the street because they worried the facade might fall.

“This sort of put a kibosh” on the idea of a grand opening today, Larsen said. He still hoped to open soon but was unsure whether city officials would allow it.

“They can’t tell us anything yet. I don’t even know if we’re supposed to be in here,” he said.

Meanwhile, he enjoyed an early run of business. One man purchased a 37-inch flat-screen television after his old one fell on the floor during the quake, Larsen said.

Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) said that although there was no loss of life, residents would still need help recovering.

“It’s a lot like the guy with a little limp. It’s a big deal, especially if you’re here,” Thompson said.

Eureka Mayor Virginia Bass said she was pleased by the city’s response.

“People’s preparedness minimized what could have been much worse,” she said. “This was a wake-up call to prepare for something that could have been much worse.”

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