A magnitude 7 earthquake struck off the coast of northern California, prompting evacuations in coastal towns due to a tsunami warning that was later canceled. Fortunately, there were no deaths or injuries reported, and no major damage was observed. The quake, centered near Ferndale, a sparsely populated area, caused broken crockery and tumbling merchandise in local businesses. Residents in Eureka also reported minor damage, with stores losing merchandise off shelves. Despite the tsunami warning extending to 500 miles of the coast, it was called off 90 minutes after the earthquake hit. Governor Gavin Newsom signed a state of emergency declaration to aid with assistance in the impacted areas. While some residents received evacuation orders, others like Nicole Steinberg in San Francisco were alerted about the possible tsunami but did not feel the earthquake. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office downgraded their evacuation warning to “situational awareness” for low-lying areas. Overall, the region was fortunate to avoid any serious damage or casualties from the earthquake and subsequent tsunami warning.
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Powerful earthquake off the coast of California prompts cancellation of tsunami warning
