Northern California buildings, roads damaged by 6.4 magnitude earthquake
Much like flood coverage, earthquakes are not covered by typical home insurance policies, APCIA reported.
Roads buckled and split and homes, utility lines and other infrastructure were damaged following a 6.4 magnitude earthquake in Northern California’s Humboldt County on Dec. 20, 2022, according to Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, which reported widespread structural damage.
The emergency knocked out power for some 70,000 residents, resulted in at least 11 injuries and left two dead, according to Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal. There were more than 15 aftershocks felt, Honsal said during 2 p.m. PST press conference, which was briefly interrupted by an aftershock. The press conference, which also lost power at one point, was held at Rio Dell City Hall, the municipality hardest hit by the quake.
As of 2 p.m. PST on Dec. 20, and with about half of the city of Rio Dell inspected, at least 15 homes were red tagged, meaning the structure was too dangerous to live in, according to Kyle Knopp, Rio Dell City Manager. An additional 18 homes received yellow tags, indicating use was restricted.
Later on Dec. 20, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Humboldt County.
“California stands with the people of Humboldt County and the state has moved quickly to support the emergency response underway with local and tribal partners,” Newsom said in a release. “I thank all of the women and men who have mobilized to protect public safety and support the community at this challenging time.”
With reports of widespread damage, the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) said homeowners should be watchful for any damage and promptly report any damage to their insurance company.
Much like flood coverage, earthquakes are not covered by typical home insurance policies, APCIA reported, noting coverage for earthquakes is available as a separate policy.
“If your home or business was damaged by this recent earthquake, the first step is to contact your insurer to determine if you purchased an earthquake insurance policy,” Karen Collins, APCIA assistant vice president, personal lines policy, said in a release. “For those not impacted by this quake, this is a good reminder to call your agent or insurer and consider an earthquake insurance policy.”
The menace that is the Mendocino Triple Junction
During the past century, there have been at least 40 quakes that were magnitude 6 or larger, including six that were magnitude 7 or larger, within approximately 155 miles of the Dec. 20, 2022, earthquake, according to United States Geologic Survey (USGS).
The region also saw two overlapping earthquakes almost exactly a year ago, according to the USGS, which noted earthquakes are common in this area because it is where the Pacific, North America and Juan De Fuca plates meet, a spot known as the Mendocino Triple Junction.
“This area is the most seismically active part of California,” Keith Knudsen, deputy director of the USGS Earthquake Science Center, said in a release. “Long-time residents have likely experienced many local earthquakes and the associated intense shaking.”
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