6.5 earthquake reported near Stanley: 'Like a herd of rhinos running through the house'

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) A 6.5 magnitude earthquake rocked central Idaho just before 6 p.m. Tuesday evening, marking the state's largest earthquake in nearly 40 years. The USGS reports the earthquake struck northwest of the small mountain town of Stanley. Reports have been flooding into the CBS2 newsroom and on social media from all over

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake rocked central Idaho just before 6 p.m. Tuesday evening, marking the state's largest earthquake in nearly 40 years.

The USGS reports the earthquake struck northwest of the small mountain town of Stanley. Reports have been flooding into the CBS2 newsroom and on social media from all over the northwest and even Canada.

Viewers have reported it lasted anywhere between 20-30 seconds.

Greg Hogan, owner of Redwood Cabins in Stanley, told CBS2 that the earthquake took him and his 12-year-old son by surprise.

"It was like a heard of rhinos, rhinoceros were running through the house," Hogan said. "My boy's looking at me with his eyes wide open and I just picked him up, grabbed him, and went outside until it settled down. It was a rattler."

Hogan and his boy took a drive around town afterward and it appears as if everything and everyone is OK.

But it has snowed much of the day (about seven inches) so it's hard to tell whether there's damage around the small town.

"It was definitely jolting," he said.

The Boise County Sheriff says it has received no reports of damage but large rocks on the highways in the area have been spotted.

There have been at least 40 aftershocks, including a 4.6 magnitude one which was reported at about 6:27 p.m. in the same area. A CBS2 News crew in Stanley Wednesday morning say they haven't felt any of the aftershocks.

Aftershock forecasts from the USGS now indicate there's a 1 percent chance of one or more aftershocks that are larger than a magnitude 6.5 over the next week. It also says it's likely there will be more smaller quakes during that time frame.

Scientists say a 5.0 magnitude aftershock could cause damage, while 3.0 magnitude quakes will be felt in the area surrounding the epicenter.

"We hope everyone is OK and safe after that earthquake," the Valley County Sheriff said on social media. "We have not received any reports of injury or significant damage."

"That was an earthquake," the National Weather Service said.

Eagle Fire says firefighters checked area neighborhoods. Meridian Fire also encouraged homeowners to check their gas meters for any damage.

"Go outside and check your gas meter," Meridian Fire said. "If you hear or smell a leak, call 911. Also, open up your crawl space and listen and smell for a leak as well."

While there were few reports of damage across the Treasure Valley, the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist did report some damage to its cross around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

The Boise School District didn't have any damage to report but will be checking all of its facilities.

Idaho's largest quake in history was recorded in October 1983. Two children were killed in Challis, Idaho by falling debris after the 6.9 earthquake struck.

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Editor's Note: An image of a FAKE IdahoNews.com article is being passed around on social media regarding the Idaho earthquake involving Lucky Peak Dam. We are NOT reporting anything of that sort.

"There are some false online rumors floating around about the earthquake damaging Lucky Peak dam," the Ada County Sheriff's Office said. "They are not true. If you see people sharing that, please tell them to stop."

Do you have pictures or videos of the earthquake occurring? Submit them at IdahoNews.com/ChimeIn

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