Early Wednesday morning, a 5.6-magnitude earthquake hit Northern California’s Mendocino County, sending tremors throughout various communities and causing subsequent aftershocks. The earthquake’s epicenter was located near Willits, occurring at about 8:10 am PDT, and had a depth of almost five miles, according to official reports.
The seismic event was widely felt, impacting areas such as Willits, Ukiah, and Redwood Valley, along with distant locations like San Jose, Sacramento, and parts of the San Francisco Bay Area. Many residents received alerts through earthquake warning systems as authorities closely tracked the evolving situation.
Initial assessments revealed minor damage in the quake-affected zones, including cracked walls, toppled objects, and brief business disruptions. The earthquake also led to power outages impacting thousands, while emergency crews worked diligently to evaluate infrastructure and determine the extent of the damage.
In Ukiah, officials reported no major injuries or significant structural damage. Nonetheless, city teams continued to inspect public facilities and older buildings as a safety measure due to the ongoing threat of aftershocks.
Authorities confirmed that the earthquake did not pose any tsunami risk. Emergency services urged residents to stay vigilant and adhere to safety guidelines as aftershocks persisted in the area.