4.6-Magnitude Earthquake Causes Damage in Montana

An earthquake damaged an apartment building and knocked bricks off the facades of buildings in southwestern Montana , authorities said.

The 4.6 magnitude quake, reported at 9:46 a.m. Tuesday, was centered about nine miles (15 kilometers) northeast of Sheridan, Montana. It was felt in Helena and as far away as Idaho, according to the U.S. Geological Survey Web site.

Students at Sheridan Elementary School were under their desks Tuesday morning, in some cases before teachers realized an earthquake was shaking the area, the school secretary said.

The school was not damaged.

One Sheridan family was evacuated from their damaged downtown apartment until it can be proven safe, said Frank Ford, Madison County’s former emergency management director.

Estimated losses have not yet been reported.