Two huge earthquakes hit near Anchorage, causing major infrastructure damage

A 7.0 earthquake hit eight miles north of Anchorage, AK this morning, followed by a 5.8 earthquake. The earthquakes caused buildings to crack and roads to buckle, along with “major infrastructure damage,” according to the Anchorage Police Department. A tsunami warning was briefly issued, but later canceled.

Via NBC:

Gov. Bill Walker said he issued a major declaration of disaster after the “major earthquake” and is in communication with the White House.

“There is major infrastructure damage across Anchorage,” according to a statement from the Anchorage Police Department. “Many homes and buildings are damaged. Many roads and bridges are closed. Stay off the roads if you don’t need to drive. Seek a safe shelter. Check on your surroundings and loved ones.”

And via Anchorage Daily News:

All Alaska Railroad operations are shut down due to severe damage at the railroad’s Anchorage Operations Center on Ship Creek, including the dispatch center, according to spokesman Tim Sullivan. The center is closed by flooding from burst pipes and the power is out.

No trains were running when the quake hit, but service can’t resume until crews assess damage, Sullivan said. It will be a day or two before that happens.

So far there are no reports of people being injured.