There was a 6.4 magnitude earthquake in California

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck northern California’s Humboldt County last night. Frightened locals ran outside in what they slept in, they say they woke up to a violent rumble and tremors, furniture in their homes shaking and objects falling off shelves.

At 2:34 a.m. local time, violent tremors shook the northern Golden State, with the epicenter in Ferndale, 340 kilometers from San Francisco. Locals say that seconds before, emergency messages began arriving on their phones warning of the tremors. This experimental method of notification, which does not always work, has been tested for several years in California. According to local authorities, two people died and 11 were injured to varying degrees. Emergency services are reporting massive damage to infrastructure throughout Humboldt County.

“There has been significant damage to roads and homes throughout Humboldt County due to the massive earthquake. Be prepared for aftershocks. Check gas and water lines for damage or leaks. Use caution,” Humboldt County Emergency Management said in a statement.

The local power company says it has put its emergency response plan in place. More than 70,000 people were left without power. The county has blocked traffic on its oldest bridge. Specialists are studying the extent of its damage. Exactly one year ago, there was a 6.2 magnitude earthquake in the same area. A few days ago, a minor earthquake was recorded near San Francisco. It was followed by aftershocks, but their magnitude did not exceed three units.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, an average of five earthquakes a year in California and Nevada with a magnitude of 6 to 7 on the Richter scale. The most destructive and deadly earthquake recorded by the California services occurred in 1906. More than seven hundred people were killed in San Francisco and its surroundings.