5.4 earthquake jolts Southern California, causing mostly minor damage

A 5.4 earthquake rattled a large portion of California on Wednesday afternoon, causing scattered damage near the epicenter near Borrego Springs but sparing the region of injuries.

Thousands of people reported feeling the temblor, which  hit at 4:53 p.m. about 28 miles south of Palm Springs. It was followed by several small aftershocks.

Mary Jane Laws, an assistant manager at Center Market grocery store in Borrego Springs, said a lot of products fell off the store's shelves but that there was no major damage.

“I’ve been here 30 years, and it was bigger than any of us have experienced,” Laws said. “It shook up and down really hard. That was the big jolt, then back and forth. It feels like forever, but it was probably only 10 to 15 seconds.”

There weren’t many customers in the store when the quake hit, Laws said, but “the employees, they bolted. The cash registers are right by the door.”

“It was scary,” added Celina Vega of Borrego Springs. “I can hardly talk because I’m still shaking. “

She said the earthquake hit as she was getting ready to go to work at Kendall’s Cafe. “I screamed. Glasses fell at my house. We’re not used to earthquakes here in Borrego Springs. When we felt it, oh my gosh, scary!”

A rock slide was reported near the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Palm Springs Fire Chief Blake Goetz told The Times the slide was minor and that there was no  damage to the tramway itself.

Beyond the immediate epicenter, the quake rattled nerves but little else.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said it has not received reports of serious damage or injuries. Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz said he experienced strong jolts at police headquarters but that there was no initial report of serious damage.

“So far everything is OK,” Diaz said. “To me it felt like two separate events. The first felt like a foreshock;  the second one was stronger.”

Attorney Nina Ries, who works in a Century City high-rise, had just left her office and was driving toward West Los Angeles when the temblor struck.

“Wow, that’s a really strong wind,” she recalled thinking to herself. As soon as she realized it was an earthquake, said the lifelong Californian, it was over. “It was just rolling like you’re on a wave surfing,” she said. “I don’t think people are fazed anymore.”

She said her husband checked in with his parents, who live in Borrego Springs, and was reassured that they came through unscathed.

-- Andrew Blankstein, Rong-Gong Lin II, Martha Groves, Phil Willon, Tony Perry and Kimi Yoshino

Image: USGS

Comments

[Jasmina Rivera]

I live 15 minets away from plam spring and It hit horted, I was with my two bothers there ages are 2 year old and 9 years old, they where cry when it happend, we got out side as soon as we could.

[Hime]

You're not supposed to go outside in an earthquake, you might want to review safety procedures. Outside is one of the most dangerous places you can be.

[Don]

Illegals caused the earthquake.

"Dey tuk er jerbs!"

[jonny]

Jasmine needs to go to school lol I felt the quake in torrance

[neha]

We feel many after socks in sandiego too.

[ERR]

You aren't supposed to go outside!!! It amazes me how many idiots (no offense, but I can't think of a nicer way to put it) live in earthquake prone areas who are clueless as to how to handle an earthquake. You run to a load bearing doorway. I scooped up my toddler when I felt the first jolt and we stayed under the doorway. Also be aware just because the shaking is over, doesn't mean you are in the clear. There can be an infinite amount of aftershocks following a quake.

Other examples of smart precautions to take: All of the decorative things we have on our shelves and tables are held down with putty. (this includes vases, lamps, plants, etc and it works very well! the objects and putty twist off when you want to remove them). We have locks on our cabinet doors in the kitchen, and all the televisions and shelves in our home are bolted into the beams in the wall. We also have flashlights, batteries, radio, first aid kit, water and food stored for emergencies.

Be smart people. We have been very lucky thus far. We are overdue for some very large quakes. It is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when.

[Judith Bernal]

I live in South Gate, CA. the temblor felt pretty strong. I was eating at Olive GArdens with my family, and Gosh! it started to shake, some people didn't even feel it, but most of the costumers in the restaurant felt it.

[Los Angeles]

Sure you guys can stand in your doorways of your home as those cave in.
This isnt school your home cant handle it.

[kanyon]

holy crap