6.2-magnitude earthquake shakes Rome, damages communities in central Italy

By Brett Rathbun, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist

August 23,2016; 11:50PM,EDT

 

 

A deadly 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck central Italy at 3:36 a.m. local time Wednesday morning, the USGS reported.
The epicenter was located 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) southeast of Norcia, Italy, with a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). Norcia is located about 111 kilometers (69 miles) northeast of Rome.
A red alert was issued by the USGS PAGER system, which estimated that significant casualties and property damage was likely.
Shaking was felt as far away as the capital city of Rome, according to BBC News. Locals continued to feel tremors hours after the initial shock.
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck central Italy, about 69 miles northeast of Rome. (Image/USGS)
Buildings are damaged in the city of Rieti, near the epicenter, according to the Associated Press (AP). Portions of the city have also lost power.
Major damage is also being reported in the cities of Amatrice, Accumoli and Norcia, the AP said. Local mayors report residents are buried under debris.

Follow

News This Second @NewsThisSecond

Italy Earthquake Damage:

11:00 PM - 23 Aug 2016

• 87 87 Retweets
• 29

At least six people have died as a result of the earthquake, BBC News said. This includes a family of four in Accumoli and two others in the village of Pescara del Tronto.
RELATED:
Italy weather center
Local forecast for Rome
2016 Europe autumn forecast: Warmth to dominate from Spain to Balkans; Storms to grip UK and Ireland
The AP also reported that an earthquake of nearly the same magnitude struck in the same region back in 2009, leaving more than 300 people dead.
Beneficial weather will be in store over the next several days for any clean up and recovery efforts.
Several aftershocks have occurred since the initial quake.