Civil Defense requests earthquake damage reports
Hawaii County Civil Defense and Mayor Kimo Alameda are urging residents and businesses to assess their property in the wake of Friday night’s earthquake that rocked Hawaii Island.
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Hawaii County Civil Defense and Mayor Kimo Alameda are urging residents and businesses to assess their property in the wake of Friday night’s earthquake that rocked Hawaii Island.
In a statement, the county’s emergency managers on Saturday asked the public to check “for possible damage to buildings, utilities, water catchment and roadways.”
“If you sustained damage, please self-report damages online to Hawaii County Civil Defense … or call Civil Defense at (808) 935-0031 for assistance,” the statement said.
“This earthquake was widely felt across Hawaii Island, and we encourage anyone who may have been impacted to check your homes and businesses for damage, including to utilities,” said Alameda in a statement. “Our staff at Civil Defense are waiting to receive your reports, and our crews will be conducting on-site assessments to collect more data. Remember to stay safe, stay connected, and use all necessary caution when inspecting your property, especially around gas and electrical lines.”
The earthquake reportedly was felt statewide, but it had a larger impact in West Hawaii with road closures — all since reportedly reopened — and residents reporting broken dishes and other damaged household items.
“Strong to very strong shaking was reported on the west side of the Island of Hawaii during the earthquake … and could have resulted in light to moderate damage to infrastructure,” the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said in a statement.
There were no initial reports of major damage or injuries, according to HVO, which also encouraged the public to report any damage to Civil Defense.
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The magnitude-6.0 temblor struck at 9:46 p.m. HVO said the epicenter was about seven miles south of Honaunau-Napoopoo in South Kona at a depth of 14 miles below sea level.
According to HVO, the earthquake wasn’t a product of volcanic activity.
“The depth, location, and recorded seismic waves of the earthquake suggest that it was caused by stress due to bending of the oceanic plate from the weight of the Hawaiian island chain; the earthquake was not directly related to volcanic processes,” the observatory said.
“Several aftershocks from the earthquake that happened this evening have already occurred. Most have been smaller than magnitude-3.0. Aftershocks may continue to occur in the coming days but are unlikely to be large enough to be felt or cause damage.”
Hawaiian Electric reported that about 1,000 customers lost power. All but a few customers in West Hawaii had been restored by Saturday afternoon with estimated repair times later in the day, according to the utility’s website.
Shortly after midnight, the Hawaii Police Department advised drivers to avoid Napoopoo Road and Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11), between Rabbit Hill Road and Manuka State Park, as large rocks and other debris fell on the roadway because of the quake. Police closed both roads as cleanup crews responded.
Police reported at 6 a.m. that the roads had reopened.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, HVO’s parent agency, a magnitude-6 earthquake is considered “strong” with a potential for light property damage.
The USGS said it received more than 2,500 reports online of residents and visitors who felt the earthquake. While most were from the Big Island, there were reports from Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai and Lanai, as well, according to USGS.
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