Californians were awakened by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Northern California, which cut power to communities.
The United States Geological Survey confirmed the quake hit about 12 miles west of Ferndale at 2:34 a.m. PST, The New York Times reported.
It was felt as far away as Eureka and Redding, which is about 100 miles from the epicenter, KTVU reported.
Good morning Redwood Coast CA. Did you feel the magnitude 6.4 quake about 7.5 miles southwest of Ferndale at 2:34 am? The #ShakeAlert system was activated. See: https://t.co/zwOapjTWaA pic.twitter.com/eMSUAT3inw
— USGS ShakeAlert (@USGS_ShakeAlert) December 20, 2022
The USGS called the earthquake “notable.”
Notable quake, preliminary info: M 6.4 - 12km WSW of Ferndale, CA https://t.co/PxdJCcDwFH
— USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) December 20, 2022
Aftershocks have registered as high as 4.6, but no tsunami is expected, KTVU reported.
NO TSUNAMI IS EXPECTED. Magnitude 6.4 #earthquake 14 miles from Fortuna. Power is out across the county. DO NOT CALL 911 UNLESS YOU ARE EXPERIENCING AN IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY.
— HumCoSO (@HumCoSO) December 20, 2022
About 60,000 people, or about 60% of the county, have lost power.
A journalist in Ferndale shared on Twitter the aftermath in her home, with her possessions scattered across the floor of her home after they fell from shelves.
That was a big one. Power is now out in #ferndaleca. House is a mess. #earthquake pic.twitter.com/YEmcv1Urhp
— Caroline Titus (@caroline95536) December 20, 2022
Exactly one year ago, a 6.2 magnitude quake hit Cape Mendocino in Humboldt County, the Times reported.
Tuesday’s earthquake followed a small 3.6 magnitude one that hit the San Francisco Bay Area, The Associated Press reported.
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