A powerful magnitude 7 earthquake struck off the northern California coast on Thursday, prompting temporary evacuation orders in coastal areas due to a tsunami warning. The quake, centered about 63 kilometers (39 miles) west of the small town of Ferndale, occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) at 10:44 a.m. Pacific Time (1:44 p.m. ET). Despite initial concerns, no deaths, injuries, or significant structural damage were reported.
Residents of Ferndale, home to around 1,400 people, described the quake as intense, with local businesses reporting merchandise and household items falling from shelves. Troy Land, a firefighter and hardware store owner, said the tremor caused widespread disruption in his store. Similarly, nearby Eureka reported minor disturbances but no major damage.
The tsunami warning extended across 800 kilometers (500 miles) of the California and Oregon coasts but was lifted approximately 90 minutes after the earthquake struck. Alerts were issued to 4.7 million residents, leading to precautionary evacuations in low-lying areas.
California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed concern over potential damage in the region and signed a state of emergency declaration to expedite assistance. Meanwhile, local authorities and emergency teams continue to monitor the situation to ensure public safety.
Despite the quake’s magnitude, the swift cancellation of the tsunami warning brought relief to the affected communities, highlighting the effectiveness of the region’s disaster response systems.
