Up to 70 tremors may follow 6.0 quake

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Bay Area this morning, damaging buildings and roads and leaving tens of thousands without power.

The earthquake was reported at 3:20 a.m. about three miles northwest of American Canyon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The U.S.G.S. also reported 2.5 and 3.6 magnitude aftershocks about four miles southwest of Napa at 5:01 a.m. and 5:47 a.m., respectively. Several smaller aftershocks have also been reported.

Officials with the U.S.G.S. said this morning’s earthquake is the largest to hit the Bay Area since the Loma Prieta Earthquake almost 25 years ago.

Officials said 30 to 70 small aftershocks could hit the area during the next week.

Emergency agencies are reporting minor injuries but no deaths have been reported.

California Gov. Edmund Brown Jr. said in a statement this morning the impact of the earthquake is being felt throughout the region:

“My Office of Emergency Services has been on full activation since early this morning and is working close with state and local emergency managers, first responders and transportation officials to respond to impacts to residents and critical infrastructure. These safety officials are doing all they can to help residents and those living in affected areas should follow their guidance and instruction.”

There has been major damage to buildings in Napa, and firefighters are battling at least one blaze that damaged several mobile homes.

There have also been reports of water main breaks and gas leaks. Barry Martin, a spokesman for the city, said the earthquake “has caused significant damage in the city of Napa.”

Martin said firefighters are responding to structure fires, and a number of masonry buildings in downtown Napa have suffered severe damage.

He said several stores have broken windows and there are water main breaks in several locations.

Napa has opened an Emergency Operations Center. Vallejo has also activated its Emergency Operations Center in response to the earthquake.

Vallejo police are reporting isolated structure damage to downtown buildings and on Mare Island.

Police are also reporting water outages from water main breaks, minor roadway damage, minor gas leaks and power outages. Vallejo police said a road has been closed on Mare Island at Mimitz and Rickover streets.

Police said there are some minor injuries reported and no loss of life.

The California Highway Patrol is reporting the westbound off-ramp of state Highway 37 and westbound Interstate Highway 80 to state Highway 37 are closed due to possible damage. The CHP is on the scene inspecting the roadways.

Damage has also been discovered on state Highway 121 at state Highway 129 in Napa. Parts of Congress Valley Road and Buhman Avenue have also been closed due to significant road damage, according to the CHP.

PG&E is reporting tens of thousands of customers are currently without power across the Bay Area, mainly in Napa and Sonoma counties.

There has been no reported damage to roadways in the South Bay, Peninsula and East Bay, according to the CHP.

Officers are currently checking roads for obvious damage. Bridges and roads are remaining open as they are being inspected.

Law enforcement and emergency agencies across the Bay Area are asking residents not to call 911 unless they have an emergency.

The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety is reporting multiple power outages and alarms but hasn’t had reports of any major injuries or damage.

The San Francisco Police Department hasn’t had any reports of damage in San Francisco.

The earthquake was felt in several East Bay cities, San Francisco, as far north as Sacramento and as far south as San Jose.

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