Salt Lake Airport Evacuated After Suffering Minor Earthquake Damage
Mar 18, 2020, 11:49 AM | Updated: 3:19 pm
(Matt Rascon, KSL TV)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Salt Lake International Airport was not operational and closed for several hours after damages caused by a 5.7-magnitude earthquake.
The earthquake struck at 7:09 a.m. Wednesday, just miles from the airport.
Officials said the FAA evacuated the operations tower after it suffered damage. The extent of the damage was not available.
Security officials completed a security sweep and allowed passengers back through the airport around 1:15 p.m. Flights were expected to begin arriving and departing.
Good news. Things have picked back up. Authorities completed their sweep. Water line is prepared and facilities are “structurally safe.” Flights continuing pic.twitter.com/qwbDyWNwGr
— Matt Rascon (@MattRasconNews) March 18, 2020
Airport spokesperson Nancy Vollmer said the earthquake caused a water break, resulting in some flooding in Concourse D. It was repaired before the airport reopened.
“Airport facilities are structurally sound,” officials said on the airport Twitter page.
After the #earthquake here in #Utah. #SLC #airport pic.twitter.com/gYm4PYeWp8
— SkyBug (@Cindeerella16) March 18, 2020
Terminals were evacuated, and people were transported to another facility to await pick-up.
The airport was working on accommodations for travelers whose flights had been canceled or delayed.
Officials have asked the public not to come to the airport while they assess any damages. The road to the airport was closed after reports of debris, though officials have since said that people picking up passengers may do so.
As of around 11:30 a.m., general aviation and cargo planes were allowed to arrive and take off.
Travelers have been advised to contact their airlines for when to arrive at the airport, because several flights have been canceled or significantly delayed.
The @slcairport is “not operational.” After this morning’s earthquake they evacuated FAA tower, terminals, concourses. Arriving flights have been diverted. No flights are taking off right now. Don’t come here unless you need to pick someone up. #ksltv #utquake pic.twitter.com/Oz8zgP3uFl
— Matt Rascon (@MattRasconNews) March 18, 2020