Earthquake rattles Oklahoma
CUSHING, Okla. — A magnitude 5.0 earthquake centered near one of the world’s key oil hubs brought down building facades and shattered windows, triggering fears the temblor may have damaged key infrastructure and rendered century-old buildings unsafe in the latest Oklahoma town rattled by strong quakes.
Cushing Assistant City Manager Jeremy Frazier told a news conference late Sunday that a few minor injuries were reported. He said the damage appeared to be contained to downtown, where piles of debris sat at the base of some commercial buildings.
Fearing aftershocks, police cordoned off older parts of the city to keep gawkers away. Frazier said an assisted living community was evacuated after damage was reported. The Cushing Public School District canceled classes today.
City officials scheduled a news conference today to discuss the quake’s impact.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation reported Sunday night that no highway or bridge damage was found within a 15-mile radius of the earthquake’s epicenter.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission said it and the Oklahoma Geological Survey were investigating after the quake, which struck at 7:44 p.m. Sunday and was felt as far away as Iowa, Illinois and Texas.
According to USGS data, there have been 19 earthquakes in Oklahoma in the past week.
