A magnitude 5.0 earthquake has shaken central Oklahoma, leading to reports of “significant damage” to buildings and a gas leak.
The US Geological Survey reported the earthquake struck at 7:44pm CST, with an epicenter located one mile west of Cushing, about 50 miles northeast of Oklahoma City. It initially measured the quake at a magnitude of 5.3.
Cushing, which has a population of about 7,900, bills itself as the Pipeline Crossroads of the World. It is home to the Cushing Tank Farm, a massive oil storage facility that’s touted as the world’s largest.
M5.3 #earthquake (#sismo) strikes 92 km NE of Oklahoma City (#Oklahoma) 28 min ago. Effects reported by witnesses: pic.twitter.com/TPdolNQL1a
— EMSC (@LastQuake) November 7, 2016
The quake was felt as far away as Kansas City, Missouri, and Little Rock, Arkansas.
The Cushing Police Department reported “quite of bit of damage” from the earthquake and said parts of downtown were being evacuated due to gas leaks. Cushing High School announced it would be closed on Monday.
Images on social media showed major damage to buildings.
Another picture of earthquake damage in Cushing shared by viewer Kipp Jones on our @NewsOn6 Facebook page. #okquake pic.twitter.com/LGGqWVPwHV
— Stephen Nehrenz (@StephenNehrenz) November 7, 2016
Just got to Cushing and already seeing tons of damage! #CushingEarthquake pic.twitter.com/yJwtMS0Nxa
— Jessi Mitchell (@JMitchellNews9) November 7, 2016
Damage in Cushing. pic.twitter.com/h5HoUBRZpW
— Kevin Stump (@StumpStumpStump) November 7, 2016
Cushing, OK #okquake pic.twitter.com/PonalgUvaX
— Jacob DeFlitch (@WxDeFlitch) November 7, 2016
Thanks to Cushing native @bencochran for correcting my location. Cleveland Street before and after. pic.twitter.com/bfUdNKtEvZ
— Kevin Stump (@StumpStumpStump) November 7, 2016
One report suggested a cinema in Cushing was being evacuated due to a gas leak.
According to our sources, downtown Cushing is being evacuated due to a gas leak, and the movie theater roof may have collapsed. #Quake
— Aaron Brackett (@Aaron_Brackett) November 7, 2016
Another said there was “significant damage” to downtown.
#BREAKING: Cushing Fire Dept says they have not transported anyone to the hospital yet for injuries. "Significant damage" to downtown @NEWS9
— Justin Dougherty (@DoughertyJC) November 7, 2016
There were also reports of a power outage.
Power is out on Cushing, OK. Some buildings are being evacuated, including an assisted living center. #OKquake https://t.co/6oxqVBPFZD
— Mike Hamernik (@MikeHamernik) November 7, 2016
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission said it and the Oklahoma Geological Survey were investigating after the quake, which struck at 7:44 p.m. and was felt as far away as Iowa, Illinois and Texas.
“The OCC’s Pipeline Safety Department has been in contact with pipeline operators in the Cushing oil storage terminal under state jurisdiction and there have been no immediate reports of any problems,” the commission’s spokesman, Matt Skinner, said in a statement. “The assessment of the infrastructure continues.”
A 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck the northern part of Oklahoma last week, with an epicenter near Pawnee.
Scientists have linked Oklahoma’s sharp increase in earthquakes to the underground disposal of wastewater from oil and gas production.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has shut down some disposal wells and ordered a reduction in the amount of wastewater disposed of in others.
Associated Press contributed to this report
