By VOA News
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA — A powerful earthquake hit Anchorage, Alaska, Friday causing damage to buildings but no immediate reports of serious injuries or deaths.
The 7.0-magnitude earthquake rocked buildings, shattered windows, and caused lampposts and trees to sway. It was followed by a series of aftershocks that were felt 560 kilometers (348 miles) away in Fairbanks.
Residents of Anchorage posted pictures to social media showing damage to their homes and businesses as well as buckled roads. Power was also knocked out for many residents.
Police in Anchorage said in a Twitter post that the city suffered major infrastructure damage, with buildings affected and many roads and bridges closed.
The White House said President Donald Trump was monitoring the situation, and Trump tweeted that the federal government “will spare no expense” helping Alaska recover from the earthquake.
Alaska governor Bill Walker said he had issued a disaster declaration.
The tremor prompted people to run into the streets or take cover in their homes or offices.
The University of Alaska said it was closing for the day and the Anchorage School District canceled classes for its more than 100 schools.
Anchorage airport temporarily stopped all incoming and outgoing flights after the air control tower was evacuated.
The Alaska Railroad said it had suspended all operations following “severe” damage at its operations center in Anchorage and unknown track conditions throughout the state.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was located about 13 kilometers north of Anchorage, home to about 40 percent of Alaska’s population.
The quake, which struck at 8:29 a.m. local time Friday, triggered a tsunami warning for coastal areas of southern Alaska, but it was later canceled.
