Drinks and other food items are toppled on the floor inside Hoby’s Market and Deli after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in California Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Scotia, Calif. (Dylan McNeill/The Times-Standard via AP)
SAN FRANCISCO – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco has not received reports of Filipinos and Filipino Americans affected by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Northern California Thursday.
Consul General Neil Ferrer told Inquirer.net USA the consulate continues to monitor the situation and “stands ready to provide any necessary assistance.”
A powerful earthquake shook parts of California on Thursday, prompting the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a tsunami warning for the US West Coast.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
The quake struck at 10:44 a.m. west of Ferndale, a small city in coastal Humboldt County near the Oregon border, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Consul General Ferrer said most local residents, including Consulate personnel, received an emergency alert on their mobile devices with a tsunami warning.
The warning said: “A series of powerful waves and strong currents may impact coasts near you. You are in danger. Get away from coastal waters. Move to high ground or inland now. Keep away from the coast until local officials say it is safe to return.”
ADVERTISEMENTAt least 5.3 million people in California were under a tsunami warning, which was later canceled by NWS. The warning covered nearly 500 miles (805 km) of coastline, from the edge of California’s Monterey Bay north into Oregon.
The quake was felt as far south as San Francisco, where residents felt a rolling motion for several seconds. It was followed by smaller aftershocks.
Fil-Am news producer and freelance photographer Vic Valbuena Bareng said he was cleaning his yard in Daly City when he received the emergency alert on his phone.
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo by Vic Valbuena Bareng
“We live near the coastline but at a high level so I didn’t feel any danger. However, there were emergency vehicles gathered at the nearby lookout point and Coastguard helicopters flying above,” Bareng said.
“I walked near the coastline to observe from above but didn’t see any signs of a tsunami. After a few minutes another alert was issued that the tsunami alert was canceled. That’s when I headed back home.”
Photo by Vic Valbuena Bareng
Numerous cities had put evacuations in place as a precaution, urging residents to move to higher ground or further inland.
California Governor Gavin Newsom Thursday proclaimed a state of emergency in the Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino Counties to support emergency response to the earthquake.
Want stories like this delivered straight to your inbox? Stay informed. Stay ahead. Subscribe to InqMORNING gcash player
MORE STORIES Biden considers preemptive pardons for officials, allies before Trump takes office ‘Wicked’ named best film, Daniel Craig best actor by National Board of Review Sofronio Vasquez: Iconic performances before ‘The Voice’ Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> Don't miss out on the latest news and information.
View comments
TAGS: Earthquake, natural disaster, Trending
For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.