A strong earthquake that rumbled through central Oklahoma Sunday night has caused damage to buildings and resulted in the evacuation of nearby residents.
CUSHING, Okla. (AP) – The Latest on a magnitude 5.0 earthquake that struck Cushing, Oklahoma, a major oil storage hub (all times local):
6:45 a.m.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin says there are no immediate reports of damage at a major oil storage hub following a 5.0 magnitude earthquake in the area.
Fallin tweeted that officials in Cushing are checking for building damage and natural gas leaks following Sunday night’s quake. It was the third earthquake with a magnitude 5.0 or greater this year in Oklahoma.
The governor says no damage was reported at the storage tanks at Cushing’s oil storage terminal, which as of last month held 58.5 barrels of crude oil.
Fallin also tweeted that about 40 residents of the Cimarron Towers assisted living center are staying at a shelter because of damage to the building.
1:15 a.m.
A 5.0 magnitude earthquake centered near one of the world’s key oil hubs has triggered fears the temblor may have damaged key infrastructure and rendered century-old downtown buildings unsafe in the latest Oklahoma town rattled by increasingly strong quakes.
Cushing Assistant City Manager Jeremy Frazier told a late-night news conference that a few minor injuries were reported in the quake that struck at 7:44 p.m. Sunday. He said the damage appeared to be contained to downtown, where piles of debris sat at the base of some commercial buildings.
Fearing aftershocks, police cordoned off older parts of the city to keep gawkers away. Frazier said an assisted living community had been evacuated after damage was reported.
City officials have scheduled a news conference for Monday morning to discuss the quake’s impact.
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