Kathmandu: A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of northern California, with the epicenter near Ferndale in Humboldt County, about 260 miles north of San Francisco, according to the US Geological Survey. Initially, a tsunami warning was issued for northern California and southern Oregon, affecting around 4.7 million people, but it was later rescinded.
Local authorities reported no fatalities or major damage, although some minor structural issues were noted. Thousands in Humboldt County experienced power outages, with over 10,000 people left without electricity. Several businesses also reported items falling off shelves, while residents described a chaotic aftermath, including a resident who called the damage at a local inn a “warzone.”
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and coordinated with state officials to respond. The earthquake, one of only nine of its magnitude globally this year, was followed by multiple aftershocks. While tsunami fears prompted evacuation orders in some areas, these were later lifted as the warning was canceled.
Though not causing catastrophic destruction, the event serves as a reminder of California’s vulnerability to seismic activity, as experts note that earthquakes of this magnitude are relatively rare in the region.
Source: BBC