By Haylee Winger
A homeowner in the Legal area says a series of earthquakes felt across Sturgeon County earlier
this spring left his home with major structural damage and his family shaken by the experience.
The earthquakes were reportedly felt in several communities throughout the region, including
Morinville, Redwater, Legal, Bon Accord, Gibbons, Edmonton and surrounding areas.
According to Earthquakes Canada, a 4.1-magnitude earthquake was recorded on April 18
approximately 18 kilometres northeast of Morinville and about 41 kilometres north of Edmonton
at 3:56 p.m. The Alberta Geological Survey classified the event as a known induced earthquake.
Officials believe the April 18 earthquake may have been an aftershock connected to the larger
4.5-magnitude earthquake that struck near Gibbons on April 1.
Several other earthquakes were also recorded in the region in April. A 3.7-magnitude earthquake
was reported northwest of Gibbons on April 8, while a 3.2-magnitude quake was recorded north
of the community on April 3.
Peter Pedgerachny remembers the first tremor hitting while he was sitting at his kitchen table.
“There was a loud noise, almost like an airplane was right on top of the roof,” he said. “Then all
of a sudden the dishes started rattling, the cupboards were shaking, and it even tipped one of the
chairs beside my table.”
A second quake followed roughly 30 seconds later, although he said it was less intense and did
not appear to cause any visible damage at the time.
The stronger earthquake came on April 18 at around 4 p.m.
“I was standing in my washroom when it happened,” Pedgerachny said. “There was another loud
bang and it actually shuffled my feet sideways. I honestly thought the hallway wall was going to
come down.”
He estimates the shaking lasted close to 20 seconds.
Afterward, he walked through the house and quickly realized something was wrong.
“There were cracks everywhere,” he said. “I’ve got three-foot cracks in the walls, the drywall
ceiling in my living room is sagging, and one wall between the living room and kitchen shifted
about a quarter inch.”
He said nearly every room in the home now has visible damage, with the exception of one
upstairs bedroom. Outside, several cracks have also appeared in the cement foundation, some
measuring more than a foot long.
Pedgerachny contacted his insurance company soon after discovering the damage. An adjuster
later inspected the property.
“He told me they were fresh cracks from the earthquake,” he said.
According to Pedgerachny, the estimated repair costs are around $130,000, although that figure
could increase depending on engineering assessments and possible asbestos removal.
He later learned his insurance policy does not include earthquake coverage.
The earthquakes in the area were reported as induced seismic events connected to industrial
activity, something Pedgerachny says has been difficult to accept while dealing with the
aftermath.
“I’m wondering how many other people out there have damage like this,” he said. “This is
something that’s happening and causing a lot of damage to people.”
He described the experience as frightening and unlike anything he has ever experienced before.
“I’ve never gone through something like this in my life,” he said. “Just the noise alone was
scary.”
Two of Pedgerachny’s neighbours also felt the tremors. One initially believed a vehicle had
crashed into his home because of the force and noise of the shaking, although neither neighbour
reported any visible damage.
For Pedgerachny, however, the aftermath has brought ongoing uncertainty about the condition of
his home and what steps come next.
“My insurance company told me if I think the house isn’t safe, I should find somewhere else to
stay,” he said. “But how do you just get up and leave your home?”
He said the experience has also made him realize how important it is for homeowners to fully
understand their insurance coverage before a disaster occurs.
Pedgerachny is encouraging residents throughout the area to review their insurance policies
carefully and confirm whether earthquake-related damage is included in their coverage.
He also hopes others who may have experienced cracks, shifting, or other damage following the
earthquakes will come forward and share their experiences.
Residents wishing to contact Pedgerachny can reach him at 7802978341.