Earthquake Causes Major Damage In Downtown Cushing

The Cushing Fire Department says there is significant damage to downtown Cushing, but it says it has not transported anyone to the hospital for injuries.

The preliminary indication is that it was a 5.3 magnitude centered near Cushing. The US Geological Survey later downgraded it to 5.0.

The quake hit at 7:44 p.m. on November 6, 2016.

The quake damaged the Cimarron Towers senior living apartments. Part of the building collapsed. The residents have been moved to other areas in Cushing including the Cushing Youth Center.  The First Presbyterian Church in Cushing also sustained some damage inside with plaster falling in the sanctuary. 

Cushing Schools canceled classes for Monday in order to assess damage. Emergency managers said the town's hospital and hotels are not damaged, but they're concerned about the structural integrity of all the buildings in downtown. Those buildings were built in the early 1900s.

The quake knocked out power to much of the town for about 20 minutes, according to residents. The Red Cross arrived to help people who were evacuated.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission released the following statement on the quake:

"The Oil and Gas Division (OGCD) of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) and the Oklahoma Geological Survey is working on evaluating the earthquake that struck in the Cushing area this evening, currently placed at a 5.0 magnitude.  The OCC’s Pipeline Safety Department has been in contact with pipeline operators in the Cushing oil storage terminal under state jurisdiction and there have been no immediate reports of any problems. The assessment of the infrastructure continues."  

Special Coverage: Oklahoma Earthquakes

We've received reports from people in Stillwater, Porter, Tulsa, Claremore and Locust Grove to name just a few towns who say they felt it. They describe a low rumble and say the quake lasted for at least 30 seconds. 

"We live at 115th South and Sheridan and felt it, whole house shook," Barbara Blanchard posted on the News On 6 Facebook page.

Ross Watson in Sapulpa posted, "Came on strong & had a strange sound, like high winds. House was popping & creaking, everything shook. Seemed to last about 35-40 seconds at least."

"I thought at first someone was opening up my screen door to come in, then it starting shaking. I should be used to them after living in California and the Aleutian island...lol," posted Barbara Jensen Tefft in Coffeyville, Kansas.

Samantha Perry McAlester posted, "Strong quake shook the whole house and roused my children out of their beds. Started strong and tapered off. Lasted almost a minute here."

People as far away as St. Louis, Birmingham, Alabama, Dallas-Ft. Worth and even Iowa reported feeling it.