A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the northern California coast on Thursday, prompting temporary evacuations in low-lying coastal areas before the tsunami warning was lifted. The earthquake occurred at 10:44 a.m., with its epicenter located 39 miles west of Ferndale, a small town in the region. Despite the quake's intensity, no fatalities, injuries, or significant damage were reported.
The residents of Ferndale, a small town with a population of approximately 1,400, felt the impact of the tremor. Local businesses experienced losses as merchandise toppled and broke. Troy Land, a volunteer and owner of a hardware store, described the scene to Reuters: “It was a big earthquake moment—it made you leave the building
as fast as you could.” In Eureka, located north of Ferndale, there were no significant damages reported, with only minor disruptions and no injuries.
The National Weather Service initially issued a tsunami warning covering 500 miles along the California and Oregon coasts, but it was lifted 90 minutes later. The earthquake prompted swift action from state and local authorities. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to expedite aid to affected areas. Evacuation orders were issued in Berkeley but were later rescinded after the tsunami threat subsided. Similarly, warnings in Mendocino County were downgraded to advisories. Despite the disruptions, the absence of injuries or significant damage underscores the preparedness of California’s coastal communities to handle such emergencies.
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