CapitolBeatOK Staff Report

Published: 13-Oct-2010

Gov. Brad Henry said today (Wednesday, October 13) that state authorities are in the process of reviewing state infrastructure in the wake of this morning’s Oklahoma earthquake, a significant 5.1 on Richter scale.

“Teams are already in the field examining roads, bridges and other state structures to determine if any damage occurred and whether any additional actions are necessary to protect public safety,” said Gov. Henry.  “There’s certainly no reason to panic, but we want to err on the side of caution and do everything we can to make sure people and structures are safe.”

The governor’s office has been in contact this morning with emergency management, public safety, state transportation and state building officials to assess the impacts of today’s earthquake.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation already has teams in the field examining roads and bridges, and the Department of Central Services and the Department of Public Safety are reviewing state facilities and buildings for damage. Thus far, no significant damage has been reported.

The earthquake struck a little after 9:00 this morning and was felt in several different states, according to authorities. 

Initial reports, including the Oklahoma City Fire Department, indicated the earthquake registered 4.5 on the Richter scale. However, this afternoon, the Oklahoma Geological Survey said the quake measured a magnitude 5.1, making it the second-most powerful in state history.