California earthquake kills two; area churches appear unscathed

Published: 2003-12-23

LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- A deadly earthquake that killed two women in California Dec. 22 left many shaken nerves and buildings, but apparently did no serious damage to church property in the area of the Los Angeles Archdiocese most affected, according to a preliminary assessment. An earthquake of magnitude 6.5 shook California's central coast, but it could be felt as far south as Los Angeles and as far north as San Francisco. The epicenter was just north of the coastal town of Cambria, in the Monterey Diocese, which is bordered by the northern part of the Los Angeles Archdiocese. In Paso Robles, 40 miles east of Cambria, two women died when the quake caused the collapse of the city's 1892 clock tower and the adjacent building. The victims were Jennifer Myrick, 19, of Atascadero, and Marilyn Zafuto, 55, of Paso Robles; their bodies were found on the street in the rubble of the collapsed building. Dozens of others were injured in the quake but no other deaths were reported.

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