7.0 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Anchorage, Alaska

A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Anchorage, Alaska on Friday (November 30) morning at 8:29 a.m local time. Officials say the earthquake was centered about 10 miles north of the state's largest city that is home to nearly 300,000 people. There have been over 40 aftershocks, including a 5.8 magnitude one that struck five minutes after the initial quake. The USGS says that there could be as many as 2,200 aftershocks that will be no larger than a 3.0 magnitude. 

The Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a tsunami warning for all of Cook Inlet and coastal areas in southern Alaska, but that warning was canceled just after 10 a.m. local time. 

There are no reports of injuries, but there appears to be serious damage to roads and buildings across the area. Almost 6,000 people have lost power and there are road closures throughout the region. You can get a list of all the road closures and the latest safety information from Alaska's Department of Transportation. 

Major roadways leading to the airport were badly damaged and likely cannot be repaired until the spring. This could make it more difficult and expensive to ship food and other items to residents who live in remote regions of the state. 

“I could tell this was bigger than anything I’d been in before, and it wasn’t going to stop,” Alaska resident Philip Peterson told WTVR. “I just jumped under my desk and had to ride it out."

There are long lines reported at gas stations as residents look to fill up their cars and get gas for their generators.

Anchorage Police wrote that the department is handling "multiple situations" following the massive quake. Residents are being advised to "shelter in place" and to only call 911 if it's an emergency. 

The Anchorage Police Department is operational after this morning’s massive earthquake. Our Dispatch center is fully staffed and answering your calls as quickly as they can. Please only call 911 if it’s an emergency.

Our officers have been dispatched throughout the area and are handling multiple situations. We are working with our public safety partners to keep you safe. For parents, we are working with our partners at the Anchorage School District to check on your children and make sure they are safe.

There is major infrastructure damage across Anchorage. 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.We will keep you updated via Nixle throughout the day.Again, stay safe and off the roads. Call 911 only if it’s an emergency.

The Anchorage School District sent an alert to parents letting them know that all children are safe and are telling parents to pick up their children when they're able, the Anchorage Daily News reported. 

The Federal Aviation Administration says they've evacuated the tower at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport with flights bound for the airport being rerouted. Planes that haven't taken off are under a ground stop. 

Residents as far away as Fairbanks, Alaska reported feeling the shaking. 

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has issued a declaration of disaster, tweeting that he's currently in contact with the White House. 

After a major earthquake, I have issued a declaration of disaster & I have been in direct contact with the White House.  Major General Laurie Hummel & I are now working w emergency responders to make sure Alaskans are safe. From the incident command center established at Joint Base Elmendorf and Richardson we are closely monitoring reports of aftershocks and assessing damage to roads, bridges and buildings.  My family is praying for yours. God bless Alaska.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said President Donald Trump who is currently in Argentina for the G-20 Summit, has been briefed on the situation in Alaska and is currently monitoring damage reports. 

Photos and video of the quake have begun surfacing online. Many people can be seen running for cover and hiding under desks or furniture as the buildings violently shake. 

The quake is one of the strongest to hit the area since the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, which was a massive 9.2 magnitude quake that lasted four minutes and thirty-eight seconds, one of the most powerful ever recorded in North American history. 

This is a breaking news update. More details will be added as they become available.