A magnitude 7 earthquake struck off the northern California coast on Thursday, prompting tsunami warnings and coastal evacuations. The quake, occurring at 10:44 a.m. Pacific Time, was centered 39 miles west of Ferndale at a shallow depth of 10 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The tsunami warning, which spanned 500 miles along the California and Oregon coasts, was canceled after 90 minutes.
No deaths, injuries, or major structural damage were reported, though authorities are assessing the impacted areas. In Ferndale, a town of 1,400, residents dealt with minor damages, such as fallen merchandise. Troy Land, a local hardware store owner and volunteer firefighter, described the quake as powerful enough to prompt immediate evacuation.
In Eureka, another coastal town, fire department official Talia Flores confirmed no injuries or significant damage, although stores experienced minor disruptions. In San Francisco, where the quake went unfelt, residents like Nicole Steinberg received tsunami alerts. Steinberg, a hospitality worker, moved to the elevated Salesforce Park after her father’s warning.
Over 4.7 million residents in California and Oregon were under the tsunami warning before its cancellation. Evacuation orders were issued in places like Berkeley but were later lifted. Mendocino County downgraded its warning to “situational awareness” for low-lying areas.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to provide assistance for affected regions, expressing concern over potential damage. Authorities continue to evaluate the situation, ensuring the safety and recovery of communities across northern California.
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