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Sunday, April 4, 2010

San Diego California 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Mexicali Baja

The 7.2 earthquake felt across Southern California Sunday caused several power outages, but it appears the nuclear power plant in San Clemente came through the incident without significant damage.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake hit at 3:40 p.m. According to Jennifer Ramp of San Diego Gas & Electric, nearly 2,400 customers lost power in Dana Point, just inside the Orange County line. SDG&E serves Orange County as far north as Mission Viejo.
In San Diego County, more than 600 customers lost power in Borrego Springs when the earthquake struck, Ramp said. Smaller outages were reported near Fallbrook and in National City. The utility has called in repairmen in case customers smell odors of gas, though no gas line breaks have been reported, she said.
Ramp said crews are also checking for damage to SDG&E substations, but there hasn’t been any confirmed. The shaker did not result in a shutdown of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, but workers began inspecting the facility, according to a statement issued by Southern California Edison.
The reactor known as “Unit 3” has been operating at half-power for several weeks. The nuclear plant is built to withstand a 7.0 earthquake five miles away, according to SDG&E.
Initial reports of several water main breaks around San Diego were unfounded, Arian Collins of the Public Utilities Department.
Leaking water at Mission Bay High School started before the temblor and was mainly on school property, Collins said.

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