7.0-Magnitude Earthquake Off Northern California Prompts Tsunami Warnings, Evacuations; Warnings Later Canceled

Dec 5, 2024, 07:41 PM

On Thursday morning, a powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Northern California, variously reported as magnitude 7.0, 7.3, or 7.5. The quake occurred approximately 60 miles off Ferndale in Humboldt County. Following the earthquake, the National Tsunami Warning Center issued tsunami warnings for coastal areas of California and Oregon, including the San Francisco Bay Area. Authorities ordered evacuations in vulnerable zones, such as West Berkeley, with residents instructed to move inland and to higher ground. The tsunami was expected to reach the San Francisco area by 12:10 pm PT. However, after further assessments, the tsunami warnings were canceled around noon PT, and residents were informed that no tsunami danger was present. The earthquake was felt widely across Northern California, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.