A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of northern California, prompting millions of people to prepare for a tsunami.
Officials sounded the alarm after the earthquake struck at 10:44 a.m. local time (6:44 p.m.) about 63 kilometers southwest of Ferndale, near the Oregon border, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). .
The tsunami warning covered a wide swath of the coast of California and Oregon, home to about 4.7 million people, but was ultimately canceled about an hour after it was issued.
The National Weather Service initially predicted the waves could reach the San Francisco area as early as 12:10 p.m. local time.
Rachel Kennedy, a meteorologist with the service, called it a “pretty dangerous situation.”
Meanwhile, the San Francisco Zoo was evacuated while staff ensured all animals were safe.
However, computer analysis and other monitoring equipment showed that the quake was unlikely to cause large waves, so the tsunami warning was lifted.
There were also no immediate reports of serious injuries or significant damage following the earthquake.
The strength of the shaking was very strong or severe south of Eureka, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
There were no immediate reports of serious injuries or damage along the California coast.
Nevertheless, it was felt widely from Northern California as far south as San Francisco, where residents felt the shaking for several seconds. This was followed by a series of small aftershocks.
In the Santa Cruz area, a tsunami warning from the National Weather Service rang out on phones, warning: “A series of powerful waves and strong currents could impact nearby coasts. At risk.”
“Stay away from coastal waters. Move to higher ground or inland now. Stay off the coast until local authorities say it is safe to return.”
Several earthquakes occur off the coast of northern California
USGS estimates that more than 1.3 million people lived close enough to the quake to have felt it.
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, known as BART, has suspended traffic in all directions through the underwater tunnel between San Francisco and Oakland.
“It was a strong earthquake. The building shook. We’re OK, but now we have a mess to clean up,” said Julie Kreitzer, owner of Golden Gate Mercantile food and souvenir shop in Ferndale. Ta.
Furthermore, she added: “We’ve lost a lot, probably worse than two years ago. I have to go and try to get something back for the holidays because this year It’s going to be a tough year.”
“The kids were so nice and scared. It seemed like they were going back and forth for quite a while.”
Eureka Mayor Kim Bergel said evacuation measures have been taken to move people to higher ground in areas of the city where a tsunami warning has been issued, and officials are assessing damage from the quake. Ta.
Bergel, who works as a resource worker at a middle school, said the lights shook as everyone crawled under desks to evacuate.
California Governor Gavin Newsom met with state emergency officials immediately after the earthquake.
