According to global GIS and geospatial technology company, RMSI, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake that jolted the northern coast of California near Ferndale on 20 December is set to cause $600 million of economic loss in Humboldt County.
RMSI states that the earthquake occurred in the vicinity of the Mendocino triple junction, where the Pacific, North America, and Juan de Fuca/Gorda plates meet.
It adds that while earthquakes are common in California, M 6.4 are less so, and harness the potential to be dangerous.
So far, over a dozen people have been left injured, with 2 dead. The earthquake has left behind crumbling homes, roads, rupturing utility lines, and bridges with cracks, and has left thousands of residents without running water and electricity.
According to the Pacific Gas and Electric Outage Map, more than 6,500 people were without power in Fortuna. An additional 2,492 people are without power in Ferndale, and another 2,927 people are without power in Rio Dell.
Around 79,000 homes and businesses were left without electricity in the aftermath of the earthquake in Humboldt County, which has since been declared a state of emergency.
In its initial assessment, RMSI estimated that about 1,400 buildings are damaged, with most of the damages being of a moderate nature.
These comprise residential, commercial, industrial, educational, and other essential and utility infrastructure buildings.
