SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Authorities across Northern California conducted safety inspections and damage assessments on Thursday after a magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Mendocino County a day earlier, shaking communities across a broad area of the state and prompting emergency responses from local and state agencies.
The earthquake occurred at about 8:10 a.m. on Wednesday near Redwood Valley, north of Willits, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The agency said the quake was centered at a depth of about 5 miles (8 kilometers) and was followed by dozens of smaller aftershocks. The shaking was felt across much of Northern California, including areas far from the epicenter.
Local officials reported scattered damage, including cracked walls, broken merchandise, damaged sidewalks and temporary disruptions to businesses and public facilities. Mendocino County authorities said some injuries were reported, although officials did not immediately provide detailed information on their severity. Thousands of utility customers also experienced power outages in the hours following the earthquake.
Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed on the situation, and the California Governor’s Office said it was coordinating with emergency officials to assess potential impacts and damage. State and local crews continued inspections of roads, public buildings, schools and critical infrastructure on Thursday.
Federal agencies also initiated post-earthquake reviews. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said inspectors carried out a routine seismic assessment at Black Butte Dam, one of the facilities meeting inspection thresholds after the quake. “The inspection found no issues or concerns, and the dam continues to operate safely and as designed,” the agency said in a statement released Wednesday.
The USGS said the earthquake was likely the main shock in a sequence of seismic activity that included numerous smaller events. The agency estimated there was a significant probability of additional aftershocks of magnitude 3 or greater during the coming week. Emergency managers urged residents to remain alert and review earthquake preparedness guidance.
No tsunami warning was issued following the earthquake, and authorities said there was no tsunami threat associated with the event. Initial reports also indicated there was no widespread structural collapse or major regional infrastructure failure.
As of Thursday, safety assessments remained underway in affected communities. Officials said inspections would continue until public infrastructure, schools and essential services had been fully evaluated, while emergency agencies monitored aftershock activity and updated residents on any new hazards.
