4.2 magnitude earthquake causes minor damage in Hutchinson area

Many in Hutchinson report feeling a second earthquake. This one registered about 8 p.m. with a magnitude of 3.0, much weaker than the magnitude-4.2 earthquake that shook the area Friday morning.

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Several Hutchinson businesses had cleanup on their agendas Friday after a 4.2-magnitude earthquake shakes the Reno County community.

At Egbert Liquor, the earthquake was strong enough to shake shelves and send bottles crashing to the ground. The aftermath included wine stains on the carpet.

Egbert's owner says the store lost about $800 to $1,000 worth of wine and liquor.

The Kraft Electric Company was among local businesses to capture the moments the earthquake hit on its cameras.

Over at the Medicine Shoppe, store owner Ricky Stone says his alarm company called, asking if they should send police. The alarms sounded as a result of the earthquake.

Elsewhere in the Hutchinson area, the earthquake raised safety concerns at the salt mine and a gas-storage facility called Yaggy Field.

A big question for many in Hutchinson concerns earthquake insurance and whether or not it will cover damage.

The Insurance Information Institute has a few things it says you should ask yourself before buying a policy. For starters, homeowner's insurance does not cover damage to things like bricks or sheetrock.

One thing to consider when it comes to earthquake insurance is the deductible, which is often higher than the typical cost of damage. Experts say the deductible with earthquake insurance can very anywhere between two and 20 percent of your home's value.

An exception is for homes with a lot of brick. If you're home is primarily built from brick, it may be worth it for you to get earthquake insurance, experts say.

The damage wasn't limited to Hutchinson.

following Friday-morning's earthquake because, the district said, there were concerns about damage to the high school and central office.

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Hutchinson Public Schools was one of several earthquake reports Friday morning.

The district posted to Facebook, "Yes, we felt the earthquake in Hutchinson USD 308. All our students and staff are safe. At this point, our staff have seen minor damage but are surveying our buildings. Again, students and staff are safe."

The district said some of the damage included loosened ceiling tiles, cracks in a couple of walls and a door that wouldn't close.

So far no reports of injuries have been made.

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We're beginning to evidence of Friday morning's damaging earthquake in Reno County.

Several people in Hutchinson and South Hutchinson have posted photos of bottles that have fallen off shelves, falling ceiling tiles and broken windows.

Kraft Electric, Inc. posted video to its Facebook page showing the moment the earthquake hit causing its office to shake violently and sending more items tumbling from the shelves.

No injuries have been reported with the quake.

Eyewitness News has a team in the area gathering more information from emergency crews, business owners and residents.

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A 4.2 magnitude earthquake shook central Kansas early Friday morning.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicenter was 3 miles south/southwest of South Hutchinson.

People bogged down the phone lines at the KWCH 12 newsroom as soon as it hit around 7:59 this morning.

Tim Black, who lives near 17th and Severance in Hutchinson, told us his house shook and things fell off the walls.

Hutchinson resident Alice Hinnen called in, saying things fell off shelves in her home. She told us she has felt earthquakes before, but this is the strongest one yet. She also reported feeling an aftershock.

Jake Goertz lives in South Hutchinson. He wrote on Twitter, "Earthquake lasted a good 20 seconds here. I have felt four aftershocks."

Goertz did not note any damage, except for items that fell off shelves.

People across Kansas felt this earthquake. We've heard reports from people as far away as Topeka, Hays, Arkansas City, and into northern Oklahoma.

Check out the USGS' report

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