How the California earthquake affected residents
A few days after Earling, marked seismic related patterns as unusual activities and an unusual event larger the last 5 years events on average was expected, M6.4 earthquake happened on December 20, 2022, in its anniversary in Ferndale, CA. The quake remained 2 death and tens of casualties. The temblor, which is the strongest earthquake the area has seen in years, also damaged infrastructure and cut off power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses around Humboldt County, about 250 miles north of San Francisco. Due to widespread damages in the county, California Gov. proclaimed a state of emergency to support emergency response. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck at 2:34 a.m. PT in Pacific Ocean waters about 7½ miles west of Ferndale at a depth of just over 16 miles. The city is about 19 miles south of Eureka, near the California and Oregon state line. Jimmy Eller, who was sitting in his parked Chevy Malibu while working as a security guard, said he was already in the throes of the violent quake when he noticed his phone had lit up with the warning. He was more focused on what was going on outside as street lamps began to sway. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — As sensors picked up the first signs of a strong earthquake jolting the Northern California coast, an alert was blasted to 3 million smartphone users telling them to “drop, cover, hold on.” It was hailed as the biggest test yet of the warning system since its public launch. But the people most rattled by the magnitude 6.4 earthquake early Tuesday said the alert didn’t give them enough time to take cover as the temblor shook homes off foundations, knocked out power and water to thousands, and injured more than a dozen people. Jimmy Eller, who was sitting in his parked Chevy Malibu while working as a security guard, said he was already in the throes of the violent quake when he noticed his phone had lit up with the warning. He was more focused on what was going on outside as street lamps began to sway. “They were all wobbling, flashing on and off,” Eller said. “I could see breakers and wires in the distance flashing like lightning might look like. It was terrifying. You could see everything moving and shaking.” ADVERTISEMENT The quake was centered near the small town of Ferndale, about 210 miles (345 kilometers) northwest of San Francisco. It was the biggest one the ShakeAlert early warning system has alerted for, since launching publicly in California three years ago, but It wasn't the greatest earthquake the Earling issued an alert not a few seconds before it waves arrive, but few days in advance. The greatest earthquake that its detected by Earling models was the M7.2 earthquake that shook Anchorage on November 30, 2018. Earling algorithms detected high-risk patterns that could be followed by an unusual seismic activity in the region.
Earthquake early warning system that tested in M6.4 Quake that Struck Northern California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - But the people most rattled by the magnitude 6.4 earthquake early Tuesday said the alert didn’t give them enough time to take cover as the temblor shook homes off foundations, knocked out power and water to thousands, and injured more than a dozen people.
What people said about the M6.4 earthquake on Open Web
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I was sleeping in an apartment building when a 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit. It shook the entire building for what it seemed like a minute. I honestly thought it would collapse on top of me. Thankfully it didn't but it was the scariest earthquake I've ever experienced.
Joanne
I remember the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake at 6.9. I was home in the Central Valley - the epicenter was San Francisco area. I was on maternity leave - all of a sudden the floor was rolling and I took my son and baby outside - we lived in an apartment complex - the pool had 6-7 waves, it was really crazy! That is the strongest one I've ever felt - most were just small like the aftershocks after a big one, but still they make you stop and say Was that an earthquake? We are too far south to have felt the Humboldt County one last night, but it sure looks like it did a lot of damage and must have been scary.
Irene
I much prefer earthquakes over tornados, hurricanes, and freezing cold blizzards - yes there is danger, but the agony is short-lived. It is over and done with before you can even get to any shelter. And earthquake damage and death tolls tend to be much less that the others.
C
I'm a Californian and have seen several serious quakes in my lifetime. For the people stuck in crushed cars on the collapsed overpasses in '89, the agony was certainly not short-lived. (Some people were trapped for days and died slowly in their crushed cars.) Some people were stuck in burning buildings. And then there are after-shocks just as powerful as the initial quake. Anyone who looks out over our jammed freeways and mazes of overpasses, anyone who recalls that we have an active nuclear power plant sitting on a fault line knows that when a really big quake comes, the death toll, suffering and chaos will be enormous and prolonged.
Ann
I lived very near the epicenter of the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989. I was in a car at a stoplight and my car started rockin and rollin and the stop light sign was moving all over the place. I remember the poor guy in the crosswalk on all fours trying to keep balance. I was on my way to Safeway to get stuff for dinner. I tried to go in but instantly saw absolute mayhem. Every aisle was filled with boxes and broken glass. They of-course said they were closing. When I returned home every cupboard had spilled its contents and my fireplace had fallen down, luckily towards the outside. My neighbors and my family all huddled outside as the aftershocks kept happening and we didn't want to go in our houses.
Lee
That's a good shake. Condolences to the families and friends of the dead. Wishing full recovery to anyone injured. Take care, first responders! All the best to the people in the quake area! At least dangerous weather is somewhat predictable. We're warned when hurricanes, tornados or blizzards are expected but earthquakes happen with no warning whatsoever, even on a beautiful day. Anyone can die or be seriously injured at any time but living in a major quake zone would be tempting fate in my opinion. The most beautiful locations on earth, such as California, often have the highest probability for earthquakes. I can understand why it might be worth the risk, especially if someone has always lived in one of these places. My condolences to those who died and their loved ones.
Chris
Earthquakes can't be stopped or predicted like weather events; have supplies for at least ten days and a plan for if you need to evacuate.
tamaraw
I got woken up at 2:30 am by cell phones screeching alarm. Text Earthquake drop and cover! Shake alert.
JOE G
Every area has it nemesis and no matter what we do, we can never win against nature. Hope everyone is able to recover their belongings and be able to do well.
David
I'm 52, was born in General Hospital in Eureka, and I remember a quake that moved my bed from one side of the room to the other in our Victorian on 'O' Street. I left Eureka in 78-79 maybe but now I wonder just how powerful that quake had to have been...still, prayers for all those affected. Just looked it up. It was '76 and a 6.8 magnitude, 100 miles WNW of Eureka. In 1980 another huge one hit...Nov. 8, 7.4 magnitude, west of Eureka. Read more