RENO COUNTY — Another earthquake shook residents in south-central Kansas early Sunday. The quake at 3:45 a.m. measured a magnitude 4.1 and was centered approximately 3 miles west of South Hutchinson, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
This follows six quakes in Reno County over a 24-hour period including a 4.2 magnitude quake just before 8 a.m. Friday that was felt over much of the state and that caused some minor damage.
The other five quakes were all 3.1 or smaller, according to the U.S.G.S.
RENO COUNTY — Two additional small earthquakes shook Reno County following the four quakes Friday morning.
A quake just after 8 p.m. measured a magnitude 3.0 and was centered approximately one mile west of South Hutchinson, according to the USGS.
Just before 5 a.m. Saturday, a magnitude 2.8 quake was centered 2 miles west of South Hutch.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — An earthquake shook the Hutchinson area this morning. The quake, just before 8 a.m., measured a magnitude 4.2 and was centered approximately 2 miles west of South Hutchinson, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The USGS says two aftershocks were centered approximately 7 miles west of South Hutchinson and measured a magnitude 3.1 and 2.6. A third aftershock measured 2.7 and was centered closer to the original quake, approximately 2 miles west of South Hutchinson.
There were reports of some minor damage, including at the Reno County Courthouse. County Administrator Gary Meagher says it appears to be mainly cosmetic, but is checking to make sure there isn’t any structural damage.
Reno County Emergency Management Director Adam Weishaar talked about some of the damage.
“We haven’t had any reports of any major structural damage,” Weishaar said. “Dillons at 5th and Adams had closed because they had a lot of items knocked off their shelves.”
Hutchinson Regional Medical Center also had some minor damage and Egbert Liquor at 5th and Monroe also had bottles of liquor broken during the quake.
Although we’ve had earthquakes before, this one was unusual. “This was weird, at least since I’ve been here, this is the biggest one we’ve had,” Weishaar said. “The aftershocks that came with this were fairly big compared to normal.”
Many residents reported pictures coming off their wall and other issues with their homes. Businesses are also assessing damage.
The quake occurred while our radio stations were live on the air. Here’s how it sounded on KWBW when it happened and how on-air staff reacted. John Brennan was on the morning show with some guests from the Art Center:
Pat James, morning personality on Country 102.9, was getting ready to do the birthday show, a daily feature, when it happened. This is how he reacted on the air:
Residents all over the area were a little shaken, literally. Here are some additional pictures of damage.
