A magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck near Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday morning, caused law firms to close local offices as buildings and roads were severally damaged.

All of the law firms contacted by The Recorder, including Perkins Coie, Lane Powell, Davis Wright Tremaine and Dorsey & Whitney, shut down their regional offices and took stock of their attorneys and staff.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake struck about 8:30 a.m. local time some 10 miles northeast of Anchorage, at a depth of 21 miles. A tsunami warning for the Alaskan coast was later canceled.

“It was big, it was impactful, and it was scary,” said Tammy Baldwin, chief of business operations of Perkins Coie.

According to Baldwin, the firm's Anchorage office, which is located on the coastal area of the city, was hit with some damages, such as things falling off shelves and art falling off the wall. However, most of its technology equipment continues to work.

“From the business continuity perspective, we certainly know” that the area is prone to earthquakes, added Baldwin. “[It's] one of the things we have been watching.”

Michael Baylous, a shareholder at Lane Powell's Anchorage office, said his firm also closed its local office Friday, and they will be back in business on Monday.

“Our office is kind of a mess,” said Baylous. “I have been working from home today.”

Stoel Rives' local office phone was redirected to Seattle. Meanwhile, Dorsey & Whitney had its calls connected to Minneapolis.

“Thank you for thinking of us.” said Jasmine Trillos-Decarie, chief client service officer of Stoel Rives, “At this time, our primary focus is on supporting all of our Alaska-based employees. We can say that everyone is safe but we do not have a final report on if there was measurable structural damage to our offices. The firm has implemented its Emergency Response Plan and our clients are being supported by attorneys in our other offices if their Alaska-based attorney is unavailable.”

The state's courts were also affected. Heather Hintze, a reporter with the local CBS affiliate, posted dramatic footage of the quake from a 6th floor courtroom of the Nesbett Courthouse in Anchorage.