Huge swaths of the Eel River Valley remain without power today after taking the brunt of the early morning magnitude-6.4 earthquake that struck just off the coast of Ferndale on Dec. 20.

The latest damage assessments, which are continuing, "show at least 30 residences and one commercial structure have been determined structurally unsafe," according to the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services, with damage totals not yet determined.

The number of injured has risen to 17 and two residents with preexisting conditions died after suffering medical emergencies either during or just after the earthquake.

"Their conditions are believed to have been exacerbated by the stress of the earthquake," the OES states in a release.

The century-old Fernbridge remains closed, OES reports, with crews from Caltrans onsite to conduct repairs.

"There is no estimated time of reopening," OES states. "Residents are encouraged to utilize an alternative route."

State Sen. Mike McGuire announced yesterday that $6 million in state funds have been secured for emergency repairs on the main artery between Ferndale and the outside world.
Humboldt County OES states about 3,400 Rio Dell residents remain without water.

Affected Fortuna areas include: Forest Hills Drive, Newell Drive, Valley View Drive, Boyden Lane, Scenic Drive, and Cypress Loop Road. Find more information here.

Potable water is available at the following locations: Rio Dell Fire Hall, 50 West Center St. in Rio Dell and Rohner Park Pavilion, 9 Park St. in Fortuna. Residents are asked to bring a clean container at 5 gallons max.

Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal and Gov. Gavin Newsom have both issued states of emergencies for the region, as have the cities of Rio Dell and Eureka.

The Ferndale Post Office is currently closed due to safety concerns and local residents who receive their mail there or need postal services are being directed to the Rio Dell Post Office on Wildwood Avenue.

North Coast Congressmember Jared Huffman in a Facebook post today directed those having issues receiving their mail to contact staff at his Third Street Eureka office, which can be reached at (707) 407-3585. Post office hours for retail are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and drop shipment hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Meanwhile, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a consumer alert in the wake of the governor's declaration of a state of emergency and noted that price gouging, which is generally defined as charging a price that exceeds by more than 10 percent what an item cost before the declaration, is illegal under state law.

“My heart goes out to residents and local business owners in Ferndale, Rio Dell, and the surrounding community as they grapple with the damage caused by yesterday’s earthquake and the nearly one hundred aftershocks that followed,” he said in a statement. “It will be a while before we know the full extent of the damage, but as Humboldt County begins to recover, I want to remind residents and businesses that price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal. If you see businesses raising the price of food, gas, or other emergency supplies, report it to your local authorities or to my office at oag.ca.gov/report.”


From the OES: