4:45 p.m. – Overnight shelter

The Red Cross established an overnight shelter for those who were displaced by the earthquake at the Rohner Park Firemen’s Pavilion, 9 Park Street, Fortuna, CA.

Shelter accommodations, meals, water and earthquake information will be offered at the shelter. For more information, call (707) 506-5083.

2:15 p.m. – Ages of people who died revealed

The two people who died in Tuesday’s earthquake were identified as a 72-year-old and an 83-year-old did not get timely medical care, law enforcement officials revealed during a news conference. The number of people who have officially been reported as injured has been raised from 11 to 12.

About 15 homes have also been red-tagged, meaning they are not fit for occupation, law enforcement officials stated. There are about 30 people who have been displaced.

Officials briefly lost power during the Tuesday afternoon briefing.

There is also a major problem with water for the City of Rio Dell. The city’s water system has been knocked offline with Rio Dell city manager Kyle Knopp saying there is unlikely to be running water available for 24 hours.

The Rio Dell city council is expected to hold an emergency session at 4:30 p.m. Monday to make a disaster declaration.

There have been at least 50 aftershocks since the quake occurred and two structure fires broke out as a result of the quake.

1:42: p.m. – PG&E estimates 12-24 hours before power is restored

KRON4’s Charles Clifford spoke to a PG&E representative who gave a timeframe for power to be restored.

12:45 p.m. – Two reported dead, eleven injured in earthquake

In a press release afternoon Tuesday, the Humboldt County Sheriff announced two people died in the earthquake and a total of 11 were injured. Heretofore, two had been reported injured and nobody had been reported dead.

“Approximately 11 individuals have been reported as injured. Additionally, two individuals have died as a result of medical emergencies occurring during and/or just following the earthquake,” the press release stated.

11:15 a.m. – Governor’s Office of Emergency Services provides updates

The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services provided updates on the earthquake:

• An earthquake alert was sent 10 seconds in advance to some 3 million Californians. “The system operated as we had hoped,” Mark Ghilarducci, the head of the office, stated. He asked all Californians to download the MyShake app.
• Ghilarducci stated that “at this point there’s some 70,000 people still without power … and we’re working closely with PG&E to get power restored to the area.”
• Some injuries have been reported, ranging from minor to moderate, and there are no fatalities reported.
• There have been up to 80 aftershocks, including a 4.6-magnitude earthquake.
• Find a safe spot in your home, and bolt or secure non-structural things, to be “as safe as possible during this period of time.”
• Tony Tavares, the director of Caltrans, said only emergency vehicles are being allowed on the Fern Bridge and that “most likely we will shore that bridge and get it ready and open to public traffic then commence with the final repairs of the bridge.” Ferndale is not isolated because US-101 runs next to it, Tavares said.
• An official with the California Geological Survey said that the quake was just offshore and that “it’s not unusual for us to have earthquakes of this size in this region,” counting 40 over the past century. There’s a 13% chance in the next week of a 5.0-magnitude earthquake or larger and people “need to be mindful” and be prepared in case of another quake.
• Troy Lucas of California Highway Patrol stated that “only 12 uniformed members are fully dedicated to the incident at this point.”
• Ghilarducci said that the governor is being continually briefed on the situation.

This is a developing story. The original story follows below:

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. (KRON) – There have been more than 43 reported aftershocks following a 6.4-magnitude earthquake in Ferndale early Tuesday morning, according to the USGS. The quake, which had its epicenter about 213 miles northwest of San Francisco — left about 70,000 people without power after jolting people out of bed throughout Northern California.

The quake struck around 2:30 a.m. A tsunami is not expected, but the Fern Bridge has been closed as it’s being inspected for damage. This is the main bridge over the Eel River that allows people in and out of the town.

There’ve been at least two injuries reported thus far, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff: a juvenile who suffered a head injury and an elderly person with a broken hip. Later Tuesday, the sheriff’s website stated that “multiple reports of additional injuries have been received and are being verified,” but was not more specific.

The Humboldt County Sheriff said there are widespread damages reported to roads and homes. Residents are being told to prepare for more aftershocks and check gas and water lines for damage and leaks.

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The Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is working on responding to gas and electric hazards, checking equipment to minimize outages. This earthquake comes just days after a 3.6-magnitude earthquake hit El Cerrito, causing minor damage.