A 5.2 magnitude earthquake rattled the San Diego area on Monday afternoon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake hit at 10:08 local time (18:00 GMT) with its epicenter in Julian, a resort town situated about an hour northeast of San Diego in the Cuyamaca Mountains.
Following the quake, which many residents felt, Perette Godwin, a spokeswoman for the City of San Diego, informed the BBC that no structural damage or injuries had been reported. Likewise, the San Diego sheriff's office confirmed that they had not received reports of significant damage or injuries, emphasizing that the situation was still evolving.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office publicly stated that he had been briefed on the earthquake shortly thereafter. The USGS noted minor aftershocks in the hour following the main quake, while the National Weather Service indicated that there was no tsunami threat.
As the tremor struck, emergency alerts from the USGS instructed residents to seek shelter, even reaching individuals as far away as Los Angeles. One local resident, Kevin Manaugh, described experiencing the quake while he was having breakfast. He noted that he had time to take cover under a door frame thanks to the alerts, which he appreciated for giving him a crucial 15-second heads-up.
"It was a bit shocking," Manaugh said, reflecting on the intensity of the shaking that lasted around three seconds. Though his home remained unharmed, he acknowledged that he would consider preparing for potential future earthquakes, especially in light of this event and the recent wildfires in the area. "It's probably a good idea to have an evacuation bag," he suggested.
