Shelter Cove Reflects on the M7 Earthquake: A Community near the Epicenter
KMUD News spent the morning Friday Dec. 6th in Shelter Cove, a small Lost Coast town uniquely positioned near the Mendocino Triple Junction, where the Pacific, North American, and Gorda tectonic plates converge. This geological hotspot makes Shelter Cove one of the most seismically active regions in the country.
Our team spoke with residents, officials, and business owners to hear firsthand accounts of how the community weathered the magnitude 7.0 earthquake and its aftermath.
Updates from Emergency Responders
The Shelter Cove Volunteer Fire Department effectively managed the evacuations during the tsunami warning after the 7.0 earthquake. After the evacuation notice was rescinded, fire personnel conducted thorough structure checks. They found no major issues.
The fire department received significant support from the local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The Shelter Cove CERT team quickly established a fully equipped evacuation center, providing food and resources for those affected. While additional resources from neighboring fire departments were offered, they were ultimately not needed as the situation remained under control.
Jac Hargrave, the Shelter Cove Fire Battalion Chief, expressed pride in the team’s quick action and gratitude for the support received from assisting agencies and personnel. Hargrave highlighted the incident as a valuable, full-scale drill, demonstrating the community’s preparedness and resilience in the face of emergencies.
Resort Improvement District Update
Coincidentally, the Shelter Cove RID had a planned power outage Thursday. Half of the Cove was without electricity when the earthquake struck. Furthermore, a major water main break had occurred the night before, and crews were actively working to repair it when the earthquake caused additional water main breaks. Two of the community’s 1960s-era water tanks partially ruptured where their pipes meet the ground, but both were repaired by 5:30 p.m. the same day. Crews also successfully fixed at least one other main break, while a hydrant break on an unoccupied cul-de-sac is scheduled for repair next week. The team worked long hours to restore service and managed to prevent any customers from losing water.
Damages Reported at the Shelter Cove General Store
The Shelter Cove General Store made headlines across the state, with SF Gate reporting on their damages. When we stopped by, store employees shared their perspective on the challenges of cleanup and recovery. “We’ve had many earthquakes here but this one knocked everything off the shelf,” said Lauren Sullivan.
The Shelter Cove General Store after the M7. Photo by Lisa Maria Machi-Pleger
Impact on the Fishing Community
Shelter Cove’s robust fishing community also faced disruptions. The Shelter Cove Fishing Preservation tractor driver reported that all anglers managed to safely return to shore after the tsunami warning. However, one angler who was on the water during the earthquake shared a unique perspective: “It felt like we hit speed bumps,” said Rick Kehoe when asked what the earthquake felt like out on the water.
Staying Prepared for the Next Earthquake
The M7 earthquake is a stark reminder that in our seismically active region, it’s not a matter of if but when another major earthquake will strike.
Helpful tips on preparing your home and family for future earthquakes can be found at Ready.gov. For local resources, consult the North Coast Comprehensive Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Earthquake Country by searching for Living on Shaky Ground.
If you or your business was affected by the earthquake, please report damages to the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services (OES) by filling out the Emergency Damage Assessment Form at humboldtgov.org/EmergencyDamageForm.
