A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off Northern California's coast, prompting widespread evacuations and emergency responses across the region.
According to Daily Mail, the earthquake hit approximately 50 miles from California's coastline on Thursday morning, triggering tsunami warnings that affected over 5.3 million residents before being called off later in the day.
The tremor was felt as far south as San Francisco, where residents experienced several seconds of rolling motion followed by multiple aftershocks.
Emergency officials initially warned of potential tsunami waves expected to reach the San Francisco Bay Area by 12:10 pm local time, leading to urgent evacuation orders for coastal areas.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as authorities assessed the situation. The San Francisco Fire Department issued immediate evacuation orders, instructing residents to move inland by one mile or seek ground at least 100 feet above sea level.
The emergency alert system sent out stark warnings to residents in affected areas. As stated in the emergency alert:
A series of powerful waves and strong currents may impact coasts near you. You are in danger. Get away from coastal waters. Move to high ground or inland now.
The response created significant traffic congestion as residents attempted to reach safer ground, with long lines of vehicles reported near coastal areas.
Initial damage reports were relatively minimal despite the earthquake's magnitude. Eureka City Manager Miles Slattery reported no significant structural damage or broken gas lines in the immediate aftermath.
Over 10,000 customers in Humboldt County experienced power outages following the earthquake. The Bay Area Rapid Transit system reported 20-minute delays due to the earthquake and tsunami warning, implementing slower train speeds as a precaution.
Local businesses and public spaces felt the immediate impact of the tremor. Surveillance footage from various locations showed swaying chandeliers, sloshing pools, and items tumbling from shelves. The San Francisco Zoo was evacuated and closed as a precautionary measure.
The 7.0 magnitude earthquake ranks among the strongest to hit California in recent years, though its offshore location helped minimize direct damage. While this event didn't prove to be "the Big One" that seismologists have long warned about, it served as a stark reminder of California's seismic vulnerability.
The incident triggered one of the largest coordinated emergency responses in recent California history, involving multiple agencies and affecting millions of residents.
Though the tsunami warning was eventually called off, and no significant damage was reported, the event demonstrated both the effectiveness of emergency systems and areas for potential improvement in disaster response protocols.
