STATE DISASTER DECLARED AFTER MAJOR QUAKE HITS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

At least 87 injured; wineries and historic district hit hard in Napa

By Miriam Raftery

August 24, 2014 (Napa Valley) – Governor Brown has declared a state of emergency in Napa, Sonoma and  Solano counties after a 6.0 earthquake hit just south of Napa in Northern California at 3:20 a.m., causing major damage in California’s famed winemaking region and other communities.

At least 87 people have been hospitalized, including a young girl critically injured in a fireplace collapse, CNN reports. 

USA Today reports that 64,000 people have been left without power as multiple gas leaks also occurred.

Silver Oak Winery tweeted a photo showing bottles from his private collection tumbled onto the floor, some worth hundreds of dollars.  No one was injured at the winery, president David Duncan has stated.

Fire tore through a mobile home park, the San Francisco Chronicle reports, where one homeowner said his mobile home was lifted six inches off its foundation. 

Buildings have been red-tagged in downtown Napa, including historic structures. Napa’s historic courthouse and library are among the buildings that sustained major damage. 

 “The health and safety of Napa County residents and visitors is our top priority. Staff is working diligently to provide necessary services to those affected by the earthquake and subsequent damages,” says Mark Luce, Chairman of the Napa County Board of Supervisors.

The County of Napa, hardest hit of the three included in the disaster declaration, posted the following information on its website.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to stay off the roads and utilize phones for emergency purposes only.  Use of 911 and local emergency rooms should be restricted to life threatening emergencies only.  The County Fire Department has responded to dozens earthquake related incidents and has received 10 additional CAL FIRE engines to assist with earthquake and aftershock related calls. The United States Geological Survey has advised that the Napa Valley may experience aftershocks for up to a week.  Emergency officials are urging residents to ensure they have an emergency plan in place and do “drop, cover and hold on” during an aftershock.