Powerful 7.1 quake rocks New Zealand; buildings collapse, 2 injured but no deaths reported

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake damaged buildings, cut power and knocked fleeing residents off their feet on New Zealand's South Island early Saturday, but there were so far no deaths and only two injuries reported.

Panicked residents in their pajamas ran into the streets of the southern city of Christchurch after the pre-dawn quake, residents said. There were reports of some people trapped in damaged buildings — though none appeared to be crushed by rubble — and a few looters broke into some of the damaged shops in the city of 400,000, authorities said. Read more at the LA Times.

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Hurricane Earl downgraded to category three

Hurricane Earl, a hurricane said to be packing winds of near 125 mph (200 kph) as it 'blows towards the coast of North Carolina. The Associated Press has reported that the storm has been downgraded to a 'category three' hurricane, and is becoming weaker each day.

It is reported that experts believe it will pass the outer banks of North Carolina tonight as a 'powerful storm'.

Administration officials say that residents and tourists of the area can no longer afford to wait and see what the forecast will be.

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