San Francisco Bay Area has been rocked by an earthquake. Damage reports were not right away available.
Thursday morning, a strong 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit Northern California, causing waves across the Bay Area and instantaneous tsunami warnings along the coast.
Emergency alerts sent to cellphones advised those living in the impacted areas to quickly move to higher ground: "Strong currents and a lot of waves could affect the coastlines close by. You run risk here. Avoid coastal seas.
From Davenport, ten miles northwest of Santa Cruz, to Douglas/Lane Line, Oregon ten miles southwest of Oregon, the warning covered the coastal areas of California and Oregon.
Tsunami warnings indicate either expected or actual occurrence of a tsunami with appreciable inundation. Warnings point to the possibility of widespread dangerous coastal flooding accompanied by strong currents and their possible continuation several hours after the first wave arrival.
The United States Geological Survey reports that the earthquake struck at 10:44 a.m. local time, with the epicenter found roughly 10 miles southwest of Scotia in Humboldt Count. The earthquake was felt over a large area, including the Bay Area, where people claimed robust shaking and rolling waves. Officials said the Transbay tube had closed.
Tsunami could reach SF at 12:10.
Following a preliminary 7.3 earthquake in the seas off Eureka, expected to produce waves reaching San Francisco by 12:10 p.m., the National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning Thursday morning.
Scientists are still looking at the possible strength; it is unknown how big the waves might be. Residents are advised not to visit coasts or beaches.
Series of earthquakes shakes the area
Though those did not set alarms, the tremor followed two smaller shocks in the same area on Wednesday, registering magnitudes of 4.2 and 4.4.
Three minutes later and 150 miles distant near Cobb, just north of Santa Rosa, a 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck.
Although there were no immediate reports of widespread damage, the earthquake brought back memories of past seismic events, including the 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Napa County in 2014, which seriously damaged infrastructure and buildings, buckling roads and cracking foundations.
San Francisco Zoo shuts
On the coast, the San Francisco Zoo closed.
National weather emergency and tsunami warning have caused the Zoo to close. Staff have moved to higher ground, animals locked, and guests left.
December 5, 2024 — San Francisco Zoo & Gardens (@sfzoo)Due of expected tsunami, tsunami sirens in Humboldt County deputies are sounding their high-low sirens warning locals to evacuate the coastline.
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