A powerful earthquake measuring 7.3 in magnitude rocked Northern California on Wednesday, December 5, 2024, causing widespread panic and sparking urgent evacuation orders along the coast.
The earthquake, which hit about 60 miles off the coast, struck at 10:44 a.m. local time, sending tremors across the Bay Area and beyond.
It was followed by several aftershocks, including a 6.0 magnitude quake in Humboldt County.
As the quake rattled the region, local authorities issued a tsunami warning, urging residents to evacuate immediately and move away from coastal areas.
The warning affected parts of California and Oregon, with concerns about powerful currents and coastal flooding.
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Coastal highways quickly became congested as people fled their homes, while schools in the affected areas evacuated students and staff to safer locations.
In San Francisco, public transit systems, including BART trains and the Transbay Tube, were halted, causing significant delays.
The San Francisco Zoo was also evacuated as a precautionary measure. Footage from local stores showed grocery items tumbling off shelves as the shaking intensified.
In Berkeley, officials issued an evacuation order for residents in low-lying areas, telling them to move inland and stay away from the water.
Although the tsunami warning was later lifted after ocean buoys failed to register significant waves, authorities maintained evacuation orders for some areas.
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By late afternoon, the tremors had subsided, but concerns remained as the aftershocks continued to ripple through the region.
No significant injuries or major damage were reported, but the impact of the quake left thousands of Californians on edge.
Authorities are continuing to assess the situation, with inspectors checking schools and buildings for structural integrity.