Rattled in Wells, Nev. — 'Everything was just waves'

WELLS, Nev. — Aftershocks continue as this old railroad town begins rebuilding today after a devastating 6.0 earthquake that was felt as far away as Salt Lake City.

It's the aftershocks keeping people rattled — with the ground moving in waves, as one after another hits the town on the heels of the Thursday temblor that damaged dozens of buildings but left only three people with minor injuries.

But as the aftershocks continue, so does the worry and rumors of another, bigger one.

"Did you feel that?" people ask each other, worry in their voices.

"I think everybody in this town has been impacted," Wells Mayor Rusty Tybo said.

The quake was epicentered about 12 miles east of Wells, a town of 1,600 people about 140 miles west of Salt Lake City. Despite its proximity, scientists said there was no relation to the Wasatch Fault that runs through highly populated areas of Utah, and that it was extremely unlikely to trigger any movement of that fault.

"It was terrifying," said Mike Elton. "It was a loud rumbling. It was like a great big storm. Everything was just waves."

Most of the town was asleep or just waking up when the quake hit at 6:16 a.m. Nevada time.

"The whole room went sideways and up and down," said Jon McLaren. "The front wall cracked. The bookshelf just missed me."

Pat Notestine was beginning her workday at Stuart's Foodtown when the ground started shaking. The ceiling buckled and food flew off shelves at the town's only grocery store.

"It felt like the end of the world," she said.

Destruction

As many as 30 buildings were significantly damaged or destroyed. Along Front Street, historic buildings crumbled. The Bulls Head bar sign hung precariously over Lake Avenue. A car was smashed by falling bricks in an aftershock.

Brick chimneys crumbled on the rooftops. Wells High School's gym was in danger of collapsing. Ironically, authorities had designated that as a shelter.

"The gym was going to be our relief," said Elko County Undersheriff Rocky Gonzalez. "Now we can't even go in."

Around town, crews painted bright orange circles in the snow to mark buildings and homes that were safe to occupy. A slash or an 'X' through the circle meant it was uninhabitable, and a question mark meant it was unknown.

Engineers are expected to begin evaluating the structures today. Three water main breaks were reported as well as several gas leaks. They were eventually repaired, but a boil-water order was issued for the community. Power was quickly restored to places that had lost it.