Utah hit with its strongest earthquake since 1992

Utah was hit with a 5.7 magnitude earthquake on Wednesday, its strongest since 1992, officials said.

The earthquake, which struck at 7:10 a.m. local time and was centered just north of Magna, shook houses between Salt Lake City and Antelope Island, the U.S. Geographical Survey (USGS) reported.

Power outages were reported across the state, with Rocky Mountain Power saying about 55,000 customers were impacted.

“We currently are assessing damages and will restore power as soon as possible,” the company tweeted. 

The Utah Transit Authority, meanwhile, said all trains on the light rail system would halt service until further notice.

“We are working with power companies to restore power and have crews evaluating our rails for damage,” the authority tweeted.  

The Federal Aviation Administration also ordered a ground stop for Salt Lake International Airport in the wake of the earthquake.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) called on people to follow “proper safety measures in the event of any additional aftershocks or quakes.”

We had a 5.7 earthquake out of Magna this morning – felt across much of the state. Follow proper safety measures in the event of any additional aftershocks or quakes.

— Gov. Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) March 18, 2020

And Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall (D) posted that the city is “assessing the situation now.”

“I know the last thing we need right now is an earthquake, but here we are, and it sounds like aftershocks are likely,” she tweeted. 

I know the last thing we need right now is an earthquake, but here we are, and it sounds like aftershocks are likely. The City is assessing the situation now and I’ll circle back with an update when I have it. Be safe. #utpol #slc

— SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall (@slcmayor) March 18, 2020

The USGS reported that more than a dozen aftershocks, ranging from 2.5 to 3.9 magnitude, followed the quake for the next half hour. Residents of Salt Lake City say they felt their homes shake, Deseret News reported.

Was watching the news here in Utah following the earthquake and an aftershock just hit! It’s crazy to see this! #earthquake pic.twitter.com/me7rxZ2vHD

— Cody Pritchett (@codypritchett3) March 18, 2020

Utah usually experiences earthquakes at 5 magnitude or higher every 10 years and ones at 6 magnitude or higher every 50 years, according to the USGS.

The earthquake comes as the country is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. In Utah, the state health department has confirmed 41 residents and 10 visitors have contracted the virus. Nationally, more than 6,500 people are infected with 115 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

The governor also posted that the Utah Department of Health’s state lab is “assessing damage and currently down” and the Utah coronavirus hotline is down.

Updated at 11:23 a.m.