Simplify the following text for a Grade 9 native English-speaking person.
Original: A 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit the west of Courtenay a lot of chimneys were destroyed , there was also damage to the post office and the Courtenay elementary school .
Simplified: Many of the town 's chimneys were destroyed , as well there was some significant damage to the post office and the Courtenay elementary school .