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Microgrid Keeps Airport Up and Running After Earthquake

The 6.4 earthquake struck Humboldt County, California before dawn Tuesday, leaving more than 70,000 residents in the dark.

The California Redwood Coast Humboldt County Airport (KACV) did not lose power following the 6.4 earthquake. [Credit: Google]
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Key Takeaways:

  • A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck Humboldt County, California, causing widespread power outages for over 70,000 customers and significant damage to homes and infrastructure.
  • The California Redwood Coast Humboldt County Airport (KACV) notably maintained power and reported no damage, highlighting the effectiveness of its microgrid system.
  • The quake, centered near Ferndale, resulted in two reported deaths from medical emergencies, a handful of injuries, and over 50 aftershocks in the remote northern California region.
See a mistake? Contact us.

At 2:34 a.m. on December 20, a 6.4 earthquake struck Humboldt County, California, knocking out the power to more than 70,000 customers. 

One place that did not lose power, however, is California Redwood Coast Humboldt County Airport (KACV), which has power owing to its microgrid.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

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