Magnitude 6.4 earthquake hits Southern California
Posted July 4, 2019 10:50 am.
Last Updated July 4, 2019 7:00 pm.
LOS ANGELES (NEWS 1130) – A large earthquake has hit southern California, just less than a day after a moderate quake struck off the coast of B.C.
The quake rattled parts of the state, as well as parts of Nevada Thursday morning, making hanging lamps sway and photo frames on walls shake.
The United State Geological Survey are reporting is as a 6.4 magnitude earthquake.
The earthquake struck at about 10:30 a.m. local time.
According to the USGS, the earthquake hit 12 kilometres south west of Searles Valley, in Kern County, which is north east of Los Angeles and just west of Las Vegas.
It is the largest to hit the region in 20 years.
THREAD: A strong (Mw 6.4) earthquake occurred 12 km SW of Searles Valley,
California on the China Lake Naval Air Center at 10:33:48 am local
time on July 4, 2019. The closest big population center is the city of
Ridgecrest with a population of 28k people.— USGS (@USGS) July 4, 2019
Emergency crews are dealing with small vegetation fires, road repair and a few gas leaks.
A state of emergency has been declared for Kern County, which enables the state to help with emergency aid and recovery.
People from Las Vegas to the Pacific Coast reported feeling it.
Ashleigh Chandler, a helicopter rescue EMT at Fort Irwin, California, said the quake happened as she was getting ready for a July 4th party.
“I was just in the living room getting everything ready, we start to feel the shaking, so then I look up and then the wine bottles start rattling and I thought, ‘They’re going to fall,'” she said. “My sister was in the house and my dog, so we just got everyone outside and then it ended. It was like 15, 20 seconds, maybe. It was pretty good shaking, so I’m out of breath.”
“Everyone’s OK.”
#earthquake We are aware of the significant earthquake that just occurred in SoCal PLEASE do NOT call 9-1-1 unless there are injuries or other dangerous questions Please do not call for questions
— LAFD ???? (@LAFD) July 4, 2019
-With files from The Associated Press