Updated 04:30 PM EST, Sun, Nov 24, 2024

Napa Earthquake Update: Recovery Efforts Start After Massive Quake, Damages Could Exceed $1 Billion

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The epicenter of Sunday's 6.0 magnitude earthquake caused dozens of injuries, and affected the wine-rich Napa Valley in the worst way by causing damages that could go beyond $1 billion. Luckily there were no deaths reported due to the massive earthquake.

It was the biggest earthquake to hit the area in more than 20 years, according to reports. Those living in the area were left without suitable drinking water and thousands were without power in Napa Valley. More than 100 people had to go to the hospital. But the biggest damage was done to the wine industry, wich calls Napa Valley home, and it's an important time for production for winemaking, all brought to a halt due to the natural disaster.

"Wine that bled out on cellar floors will make up a hefty chunk of the lost revenue.," reports the Washington Post. 

People were evacuated and many buildings were deemed unsafe by Napa officials well into Monday, as workers dealt with loose building bricks.  

Napa Community Development Director Rick Tooker told radio station KQED, that 33 buildings were red-tagged, marked unsafe, and an unknown number were yellow-tagged, which means that building owners can only go in to clean up.

Reports of damage estimates have varied since Sunday, but as the Washington Post reported, "David Oppenheimer, a seismologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, Calif., told the Wall Street Journal the economic losses facing the valley could exceed $100 million."

Many businesses in the area reported damage and lost inventory. One oil and vinegar salesman told KQED that he lost around $5 million in damages to this business in Downtown Napa. 

Nearby in Vallejo, another Bay Area City rocked by the earthquake on Sunday, officials were still assessing the damage, according to reports. Buildings along the commercial zone in the city, Tennessee Street were closed reports said, due to post-earthquake inspections.

"Officials estimated Monday that structures in the city sustained about $5 million in damage," KQED reported.  Well into Monday, city crews were working to fix 16 water main breaks in Vallejo, officials said.

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