5.4 earthquake hits Southern California; felt in Los Angeles [Updated]

A 5.9 earthquake rocked Southern California this afternoon and was felt across a wide area.

According to U.S. Geological Survey, the quake hit at 4:53 p.m. near Borrego Springs, about 28 miles south of Palm Springs. It was followed by several small aftershocks.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, but some residents said the quake caused glass to break.

Its the latest in a string of powerful of quakes to hit Southern California in the last few months, ever since a 7.2 quake hit the Mexicali area on Easter Sunday.

[Updated at 5:07 p.m.: The USGS downgraded the quake to 5.4 magnitude. The Los Angeles Fire Department said it has not received reports of serious damage or injuries. Residents in Riverside County told The Times they felt a sharp jolt but have not witnessed major damage.

Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz said that 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.”

“It was scary,” said 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!”]

[Updated at 5:26 p.m.: The quake swayed skyscrapers in downtown San Diego, but there were no reports of damage there.

A rockslide was reported on a road outside of Palm Springs neat the aerial tramway, accord to the Desert Sun. But someone at the tramway restaurant told The Times there was no major damage. Palm Springs Fire Chief Blake Goetz told The Times that there was a rock slide near the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, but no damage to the Tramway itself.

Mary Jane Laws, an assistant manager at Center Market Grocery Store in Borrego Springs, said that a lot of products fell of the store shelves – but 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, but Laws said, “The employees, they bolted. The cash registers are right by the door.”

The residents are accustomed to an occasional temblor, but Laws said, “It was a little bit more than we’re comfortable.” At least for the evening, it will give the sleepy town something to chat about in the off season. “This place is going to be just atwitter,” Laws said. “We’ll be in the coffee shop, talking about all kinds of things."]

-- Andrew Blankstein, Rong-Gong Lin II and Kimi Yoshino

Map: USGS

Comments

[San Marcos]

It was very strong in North San Diego County. Just as strong as the Easter quake.

[Dylan]

Live near La Cienega and the 10 freeway and felt nothing. Strange. I can't explain it.

[mike]

We felt the tremor here in Hollywood . Our building swayed a little and it lasted for 5-8 seconds.At first i didn't realise it was an earthquake thinking i was feeling dizzy , but after noticed my chandellier moving back and forse i was assured that the quake actually was real and pretty strong.

[Ann Storms]

My mother, in Venice, thought she was having a big dizzy
spell...no shaking or rattling, she said.

[Byrle Moore]

Felt in both San Diego (my Wife) here in Tijuana (the dogs and I.)

[Maureen]

I was in Pasadena in Vroman's Bookstore and the wind chimes on display started shaking and I heard some creaking as well. It wasn't strongly felt but it was enough for me to really take notice.

[kent brown]

I'm in san clemente and it seemed fairly mild but still unnerving.

[Rik]

I felt it at my sons football practice in Lake Elsinore. It lasted for about 15 to 20 seconds total, pretty good roller.

[Wilford]

I was at the grocery store and the place just shook. A woman asked what had happened. I said not to worry, it was just an earthquake. She had a sigh of relief and said thank goodness, I thought I was pregnant again.

[Dave]

While waitng for green arrow for left turn at intesection of Springdale and Warner in Huntington Beach, my Toyota truck swayed for 30 seconds. The earthquake was not felt in my home two blocks away.

[Anna]

I was sitting at a stop light in La Mesa. My car started shaking from side to side and bouncing up and down. It only took a second to realize it was not a car problem but another earthquake. I think these earthquakes are fun. (Of course, I've never been at the epicenter of a 7.0!) I grew up in Japan and we had earthquakes frequently (perhaps once a month) on a scale similar to what we've felt in San Diego County lately. We are so far removed from nature in the city; earthquakes are a good reminder of the presence of Mother Earth!

[Jamina]

wow i was at work in the city of Northridge and i felt pretty bad. i hate earthquake.

[tmtrad]

Century City rolled with it...

[Ivys Grama]

Felt it here in Victorville, rolling~made us feel dizzy.

[Big Tad]

I felt it! A slow-roller for maybe 30 seconds or so.

[Dr.T]

Was stopped at a signal in Palos Verdes and at first thought the car behind me tapped my rear bumper and then for several seconds the car just seemed to rock or sway....strange feeling.

[BeyondTheMargin.net]

Yes in Huntington Beach... Modest shaking of the floor for about 5-10 seconds.

[student]

Felt it at USC.

[Svanadisa]

I felt it in Moorpark. I was sitting on my couch and my butt did some serious shakin.

[verbwank]

Felt in Santa Monica border with W LA. Faint but a long roller.

[Fred]

Was at the culinary school in Pasadena, and felt it big time.

[marna nuestra]

it was felt in palm springs

[D. Marie]

We're in Encino, (San Fernando Valley), CA. Sitting on the couch could feel light shaking for about 15 seconds. Was light, but enough to recognize it was an earthquake.

[romeo]

hi