 A resident walks past damaged shops from yesterday's major earthquake in Christchurch September 5, 2010. (REUTERS/Iain McGregor/The Press)
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The 7.1 magnitude earthquake that hit the city of Christchurch early Saturday morning is going to cost the country about $1.5 billion in damages.
More than 500 buildings and houses have been wrecked in New Zealand's second largest city, though no deaths have been reported and only two people have been seriously injured.
Damage assessments have been hindered Sunday as severe weather warnings for gale-force winds were issued, making it dangerous to be around buildings with structures that have been severely wakened by the quake. Aftershocks were also still being felt over the weekend.
Local station TVNZ reports that the U.S. military offered help but was turned down by the local government, saying that they have the situation under control. "We're very grateful that the offers were made and fortunately we were able to say 'not required,'" Civil Defence director John Hamilton told reporters at a briefing.
