The Ravalli County Sheriff's Office report an earthquake - centered in Lincoln, northeast of Ravalli County - was estimated at 5.8 on the Richter scale.

The earthquake was north of Helena, according to a report from USGS. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the earthquake center at 9 kilometers southeast of Lincoln at a depth of 4.3 kilometers.

The temblor struck about 12:30 a.m. and caused considerable shaking in Hamilton as the shock wave passed through the area.

Residents were asked to NOT call 911 unless they had medical issues or needed fire assistance.

Reports from Helena, southeast of the quake, mentioned a fairly strong aftershock a few minutes after the first shaker.

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