Eureka Earthquake: Holy Fucking Shit!!!! Part 2

I finally got all the shit up off the floor, threw away a lot of broken stuff, and read a report or two online. Local stations are off the air. The earthquake that hit Eureka, California and surrounding areas was bad.

Some updates, and then I need a Tylenol III. My back is killing me. Being thrown off balance into a metal rod will do that.

My power came on around 8. Don't know if anyone else is out still, but a PG&E spokesperson on the radio said it may be a few days before some people get power. I ventured out to find food around seven. Air smelled of smoke for some reason. Firetrucks patrolled downtown shining lights on buildings as they looked for cracks and whatnot. One section of town had electric. All the gas stations were packed. McDonald's had a line of cars to the road. Big Pete's had a line to the door (damn them). Burger King closed. It sounded like the worker said they were out of food. My friend had a broken apartment window and reported that the windows on the new senior center were all broken out.

The Bayshore Mall apparently had people taken out in ambulances. I read reports of tiles falling from the ceiling as well as the floor buckling. The mall is in a spot where, if a big enough quake were to hit, the ground would literally turn into something quite like quicksand.

We have had aftershocks. Haven't felt one for a few hours.

I have some collectible toys that were broke, a piece of art destroyed, a framed photo had the glass broken, stacks of CDs fell, cups fell, toys in my daughter's room were set free from their spots in the closet and on the shelves, the soap and shampoo in my shower hit the tub and have sprayed their contents everywhere. Power poles have toppled. Some houses may have broke free of their foundations.

You ever want to feel small? Stand in your house as it shifts in space and tilts a little, like it's a boat on a rough sea. If that doesn't make you feel tiny and useless, nothing will.

My one neighbor told me he had just climbed a ladder into his attic when it happened. He was lucky to not have broken his neck.

King Salmon residents evacuated on their own. Smart.

Apparently there was no threat of a tsunami, but the sirens apparently went off to advise people to get to higher ground. I reported in the first earthquake post that the water in the bay did look like it was leaving ... being pulled back toward the ocean. I wasn't the only driver to see it, either.

Several people are reporting missing pets. Apparently the animals freaked out and took off. I can relate.

I had reports from others of plenty of broken windows in their home.

Okay, pain pill needed. Ironically, my mail pile had a letter from my insurance company that I got on Wednesday. The topic? Getting earthquake insurance. Obviously, this act of nature is part of a conspiracy courtesy of my insurance agency.

Damn, I am bit freaked to go to bed tonight.