Temblor causes widespread damage; people possibly trapped in rubble

WELLS, Nev. - A strong earthquake rattled northeast Nevada early Thursday, causing at least one building to collapse and forcing the evacuation of a truck stop, authorities said.

The quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 and was reported at 6:16 a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

It was centered in a sparsely populated area 11 miles southeast of Wells near the Nevada-Utah line.
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Elko County Undersheriff Rocky Gonzalez said damage was widespread, with people reporting cracked walls and foundations. At least one building collapsed, he said.

There were no confirmed reports of injuries, but a Wells resident told NBC News that he heard on the scanners that people may be trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings in the historic portion of Wells.

The El Rancho Building on Lake Ave. may be among those that have reportedly collapsed with renters inside the buildings, according to Denny Stanhope, a member of the Elko County Sheriff Auxiliary.

While on the phone with NBC News, Stanhope and his wife said they felt another aftershock.

Meantime, the Flying J Truck Stop was evacuated because of a propane leak, Undersheriff Gonzalez said.

Mike Nanini of Four Way Casino in Wells told NBC News that a small part of his roof collapsed and that his casino was a mess. He said the quake lasted for almost 2 minutes and about 8 slot machines were on the floor.

A person who answered the phone at Wells Elementary School told The Associated Press that there were cracks in walls and items were displaced.

"It was pretty bad," said Jane Kelso, who answered the phone at the Motel 6. "Everything in our whole building shook.

"We have cracks in our walls."

The temblor was felt across eastern Nevada, Utah and as far away as Southern California and Boise, Idaho.

In Twin Falls, Idaho, residents reported severe shaking and items falling off shelves.

Wells is about 350 miles east of Reno on Interstate 80.