A 5.7-magnitude earthquake hit Utah early this morning, leaving nearly 73,000 homes and businesses without power. Utah Emergency Management claims “it was the largest earthquake to hit Utah since a 5.9 magnitude quake shook southern Utah in 1992,” according to the Chicago Tribune.
We had a 5.7 earthquake out of Magna this morning - felt across much of the state. Follow proper safety measures in the event of any additional aftershocks or quakes.
— Gov. Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) March 18, 2020
The Salt Lake City International Airport was evacuated and closed down immediately following the quake. All planes flying into the airport were diverted, and there is currently no timeline for when the airport will be reopened.
The airport is not currently operational. The FAA tower, terminals and concourses have been evacuated. The road to the airport has been opened, so that passengers can be picked-up.
— SaltLakeCityAirport (@slcairport) March 18, 2020
Residents in the neighboring states of Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada reported feeling the effects of the quake. According to the Weather Channel, it is estimated that 2.8 million people felt the shaking, and aftershocks are expected to last throughout the day.
Damages have been reported by residents within a 100-mile radius.
A 5.7 earthquake hit just northeast of Magna this morning which caught this little one off guard during her breakfast. ?
— Marietta (@MariettaDaviz) March 18, 2020
It's he largest earthquake to hit Utah in 28 years.
#Utah#earthquake#WednesdayThoughtspic.twitter.com/7du9eXsXuU
Here are some of the first photos of damage coming in from Salt Lake County in Utah after the initial earthquake that happened Wednesday morning. #utwx pic.twitter.com/GRwMBDM8k4
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) March 18, 2020
We are getting our first pictures in from #Magna. These were sent to us by Taylor Kilgrow. #utahearthquake pic.twitter.com/hvCO8u4fit
— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) March 18, 2020
Dave Nuriega, radio host in Salt Lake City, tweeted, “Just felt the first earthquake of my life. That was crazy.”
Just felt the first earthquake of my life. That was crazy. pic.twitter.com/aWew7EOrIt
— Dave Noriega (@davenoriega) March 18, 2020
Utah Emergency Management spokesman Joe Dougherty urged residents to check in with their neighbors, but this suggestion flies in the face of the national recommendation to exercise social distancing due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Despite the seriousness of the earthquake in Utah, its coverage has paled in comparison to the amount of coverage the coronavirus has received. This speaks to the seriousness of the contagion, and how it has overtaken any and all local tragedies such as this one. The virus has not taken away the difficulties local communities experience on a daily basis—it has only compounded them.
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