Tsunami Warning Canceled for U.S. West Coast After 7.0 Magnitude Earthquake

A tsunami warning issued for the U.S. West Coast was lifted by the National Weather Service after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Northern California on Thursday.

The quake, recorded at 10:44 a.m., hit near Ferndale, a small coastal city in Humboldt County close to the Oregon border, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Initially, the warning covered about 500 miles of coastline, stretching from California’s Monterey Bay to the Oregon coast.

Minimal Damage Despite Strong Shaking

The earthquake triggered a yellow alert from the USGS, indicating the potential for localized but minor damage. Residents in San Francisco, located over 250 miles south, reported feeling the ground rolling for several seconds. Smaller aftershocks followed the initial quake, but there were no immediate reports of major injuries or structural damage.

Local businesses, however, experienced disruptions. Julie Kreitzer, owner of the Golden Gait Mercantile in Ferndale, described the aftermath: “The quake shook our building hard. We’ve lost a lot of inventory. It’s worse than the quake two years ago, and I’m scrambling to save what I can before the holidays.”

Precautionary Evacuations and Public Reactions

Authorities in affected areas issued evacuation notices as a precaution, advising residents to move to higher ground or further inland. In Eureka, Mayor Kim Bergel reported that emergency crews were assessing the situation. “So far, we’ve seen no major damage or injuries, but the quake really scared the kids at the middle school where I work. They did an excellent job staying calm and taking cover,” she shared.

The quake also caused temporary disruptions to public services. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system halted traffic in its underwater tunnel between San Francisco and Oakland as a safety measure. The San Francisco Zoo evacuated visitors and secured animals, relocating staff to higher ground.

Now-Canceled Tsunami Warning Alerted Millions

Phones across Northern California buzzed with the initial tsunami warning. The alert cautioned residents: “A series of powerful waves and strong currents may impact coasts near you. Move to high ground or inland immediately. Stay away from coastal waters until authorities declare it safe.”

Fortunately, the National Weather Service later confirmed that the threat had subsided, and the warning was canceled. While the quake was widely felt, California once again demonstrated its preparedness for seismic activity, minimizing its impact on local communities.