[UPDATE 7:41 a.m.] Rio Dell Fire Chief Estimates Between 50 to 100 Families Displaced by Quake

A resident inspects the damage to his porch in Rio Dell this morning after a 6.4 quake.

A resident inspects the damage to his porch in Rio Dell this morning after a 6.4 quake. [Photo by Lauren Johnson]

The estimated 6.4 earthquake that rumbled North Coast residents this morning about 2:34 a.m. caused serious damage in the small town of Rio Dell. According to an early estimate given to us by phone from Rio Dell Fire Chief Shane Wilson, the department has had about 150 calls for service since the quake struck–many of them for gas and water leaks. But many calls have been for damaged homes.

“There is going to be some significant displacement,” Wilson told us. “We have reports of complete house separation–rooms have completely separated…I told [officials] to estimate 50 to 100 displaced families. That’s 100 to 300 displaced people conservatively…Once daylight happens, we’ll know more.”

Wilson told us, “The city of Rio Dell and building officials are meeting at 9 a.m. to start building assessments. Schools first.” Then, he said, if the schools check out safely. They’ll be setting up shelter for displaced families at the school.”

According to Lt. Thomas Norris of Rio Dell Fire, all schools are closed. “There is no power in Rio Dell and most of the water has been shut down…Red Cross will be setting up shortly at the fire station. Supervisor Michelle Bushnell is getting water donated and it will be at the fire station or city hall [which are located close together.]

Norris said that residents can ask for non-emergency help at (707) 506-5083.

Chief Wilson told us, “I was in the ’92 quake. This one felt bigger!”

Lauren Johnson Fire in a Rio Dell Shed after Quake Lauren Johnson Fire in a Rio Dell Shed after Quake Lauren Johnson Fire in a Rio Dell Shed after Quake

Note: As we were writing this up, a structure fire occurred at a shed in Rio Dell near Center and Painter. Firefighters are worried that as power comes back on there might be more fires in the damaged buildings.

UPDATE 7:41 a.m.: There was a confirmed burn pile at the shed and, according to the scanner, the scene was being turned over to the Rio Dell Police.

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17 Comments
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Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago

If there is a general place to donate to help our worse hit neighbors, it would be good.

grey fox
Guest
grey fox
1 year ago
Reply to  Guest

Red Cross

Neverlayup
Guest
Neverlayup
1 year ago
Reply to  grey fox

Red Cross spends 90 cents of every dollar donated to executives!
go 2 the firehouse or set up a go fund me

Erica
Guest
Erica
1 year ago
Reply to  Neverlayup

It’s about opposite that (.90 to victims; .10 to overhead). https://www.redcross.org/donations/how-the-red-cross-spends-your-donations.html

geezermeD
Member
geezerme
1 year ago
Reply to  Neverlayup

Same thing during 1964 flood donated mega $$$$, a few blankets some boxes of food.

Mendocino Mamma
Guest
Mendocino Mamma
1 year ago

Oh my prayers to all. Not hearing much injuries that is a blessing.
#RioDellStrong! ❤

Donald
Guest
Donald
1 year ago

Anyone know if blue slide/grizzly bluff is open? Trying to get to Ferndale from Fortuna

cranky old lady
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Donald

I heard on the scanner earlier that Blue Slide was open with one way traffic in one place due to a rock slide. They were working to get it completely open because without Fernbridge, Ferndale is cut off.

Onlooker
Guest
Onlooker
1 year ago

Hoping the beautiful Fernbridge is intact, I heard roads to Ferndale are out.

No Joke
Guest
No Joke
1 year ago
Reply to  Onlooker

There is some damage to the pavement on Fernbridge, don’t know yet if it’s worse than that. Really a beautiful and iconic bridge.

cranky old lady
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Onlooker

Fernbridge is closed at the moment; there’s damage to the pavement at the abutment. There’s a pic of it on Lost Coast Outpost.

Dogbiter
Guest
Dogbiter
1 year ago

Southern Humboldt is as tough as an overcooked cube steak. You couldn’t knock Rio Dell out with chief Wilson’s fire ax. I’m sorry for all the damage but life is more precious.
My prayers to all!

Ricky Bennis
Guest
Ricky Bennis
1 year ago
Reply to  Dogbiter

I agree.
SoHum claims Rio Dell.

Dinky
Guest
Dinky
1 year ago
Reply to  Dogbiter

Much needed chuckle, wonderful comparison 😄 and totally true.

grey fox
Guest
grey fox
1 year ago

You would think the 92 quakes would have damaged everything there back then.
But this quake felt different. A nasty jolt. Not a roller here. At least no serious after shocks like 92.
So far!

Dinky
Guest
Dinky
1 year ago

Anyone know if the north Rio Dell bridge is good?

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[…] how many people may be displaced because of the quake. Rio Dell Fire Chief Shane Wilson told local news outlet Redheaded Blackbelt that 50 to 100 families were […]