All Associates Accounted For After Massive Earthquake Near JBER

All Exchange associates at Alaska’s Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson were reported safe Friday after a 7-magnitude earthquake just seven miles from the installation in Anchorage.

The JB Elmendorf-Richardson main store will remain closed until workers can review the structure. Water pipes that control the fire suppression system have breaks in multiple locations on the commissary side of the mall.

There is water damage in the mall, and water is starting to flow into the main store.  The fire department was turning off the water to prevent further damage.

About half of the ceiling tiles are down and there is quite a bit of merchandise that has fallen from the shelves. The JMM Express has suffered external and internal damage.

The installation has no power.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the tremor struck about 8:29 a.m. local time Friday morning. CNN reported that social media images and videos showed cracked and collapsed roads, and cracks in the walls of buildings in the city. The USGS reported at least four aftershocks after the first quake.

Updates about the Exchange will follow as information becomes available.