Earthquake Sends Residents Into Panic as Alerts Hit Three US States

A powerful earthquake rattled the US West Coast on Wednesday, prompting urgent alerts instructing millions of people to take cover as shaking spread across the region.

According to the US Geological Survey, the magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Northern California at 11.10am ET, making it the strongest tremor recorded there since 1940.

The most intense shaking was felt near the epicenter around Redwood Valley, but the quake was detected across a vast stretch of more than 600 miles, from Coos Bay, Oregon, to Salinas, California, as well as parts of western Nevada.

In Kelseyville, roughly 40 miles east of the epicenter, a resident’s indoor security camera captured the moment the house started shaking, with the movement reportedly lasting about 30 minutes.

The video shows framed photographs slipping from the walls and a computer monitor toppling over as the tremors moved through the home.

Officials said power outages have affected more than 6,000 people across six communities near the epicenter, while urging residents to avoid highways and local roads so crews can assess damage and carry out repairs.

Moneca Vargas of Saint Mary’s Catholic School in Ukiah told KTVU: ‘That was the biggest earthquake I have felt in my life, and I’ve lived in Ukiah for most of my 54 years. My whole house shook.’

Others living near the quake’s source in Northern California likened the shaking to a ‘freight train’ passing through their homes, knocking belongings from shelves as authorities activated the official earthquake warning system for quakes above magnitude 4.5.

While the shockwaves reached level seven in certain areas, meaning ‘very strong’ shaking and moderate damage, according to USGS, there have been no reports of injuries at this time. 

Since the initial quake, over six aftershocks have been recorded in less than two hours, all measuring stronger than magnitude 2.0. 

USGS has warned that there is a nearly 90 percent chance of another earthquake stronger than magnitude 3.0 erupting in the region over the next week.

Experts added there is a 40 percent risk of a quake stronger than magnitude 4.0 and a slim-but-not-impossible seven percent chance of another quake over magnitude 5.0 striking the West Coast this week. 

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The epicenter of Wednesday’s earthquake was recorded within seven miles of the Maacama Fault zone.

The Maacama is a major active strike-slip fault capable of causing strong shaking and damage in areas like Mendocino and Sonoma counties, where it runs through rural communities and wine country.

Making the fault even more of a concern to locals is the fact that it is part of the larger San Andreas Fault system, the infamous 800-mile-long fault running through much of California.

USGS scientists have documented that the Maacama Fault has produced large earthquakes in the past and could potentially generate one in the future, which could exceed magnitude 7.0.

According to a 2015 report, there is a 95 percent probability that at least one major quake, stronger than magnitude 6.7, will strike somewhere in the Bay Area by 2043.

Just as the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services warned roughly 657,000 people to ‘drop, cover and hold on’ using the MyShake App, the American Red Cross is explaining how these steps could save your life.

The Red Cross noted that dropping to your hands and knees protects you from being knocked down during the seismic waves and allows you to crawl to a more protected space.

Next, safety experts urge you to cover your head and neck with your arms. 

‘If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for protection. If you cannot find a protected space, crawl to an interior wall (away from windows),’ the Red Cross recommended in a statement. 

Lastly, do your best to hold on until the shaking stops. If you were able to make it to a desk or table, hang on to the table while protecting your head with one arm.