1:15pm update: Crews have finished their inspections and found no damage.

Original report: You probably didn’t feel the 3.4 quake near Duvall around 5:20 this morning, but that small shaker has crews out inspecting the Magnolia Bridge and the Ballard Bridge. SDOT tells us those bridges are “indicator posts” that show if further inspections need to be done across the city. While some crews may be seen on the deck on the Ballard Bridge this morning, most of the inspection of the Magnolia Bridge will take place under the structure.

We all know that we live in an earthquake zone here in Puget Sound and to help you get ready if the big one hits, there is a free Earthquake Preparedness Clinic at Magnolia Public Library on Saturday (9/19) from 11a.m. to 1p.m. 

The Seattle’s Department of Emergency Management sponsors the clinic that will be taught by Magnolia resident Bruce Schoonmaker.

Topics that will be covered are retrofitting (bolting/attaching) houses to their foundations, securing personal possessions, options for managing a natural gas line on your property and recommended supplies to survive following an earthquake. 

You don’t need to register in advance, just show up and learn how to be prepared.

A shallow earthquake centered 14 miles north of Seattle shook some people awake at 5:25 a.m. It measured 4.5 on the scale, too small to cause any damage. We slept right through it at Magnolia Voice headquarters….anyone in the neighborhood feel it? 

The PI reports that City of Seattle crews did an initial round of checks for any quake damage, inspecting the Ballard, Fremont, University Bridges and the Spokane Street Viaduct and found no damage there.  

City spokesman Rick Sheridan says crews are still inspecting the Magnolia, Emerson Street and 12th Avenue South bridges and the 15th Avenue Northwest interchange near the Ballard Bridge.

The documentary Cascadia Hidden Fire that chronicles our area’s earthquake risk will be shown at a meeting of the Magnolia Emergency Planning Committee Thursday night. 

The movie explains the dynamic geology of our Cascadia Region and how and why earthquakes occur. Learn about the current earthquake risk and why it is important to be ready for the next one. The movie is narratted by King 5 personality Grant Goodeve.

The meeting will also provide information about the disaster response plan for our area and how to work with your neighbors to build a community network to respond and recover in the event of a disaster.

The presentation will be held at Catharine Blaine School school at 2550 34th Ave West starting at 7pm.