A strong earthquake centered off the Ventura County coast rocked parts of Southern California Thursday, swaying buildings in a wide area of Los Angeles.
The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported the shaker was a magnitude 5.0, but it was later upgraded to magnitude 5.3.
The temblor hit at 12:29 p.m. and was centered 23 miles east-southeast of Santa Rosa Island and 36 miles southwest of Channel Islands Beach, according to the USGS.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The Los Angeles Fire Department went into “earthquake mode,” during which it pulls its trucks out of stations and crews begin sweeping neighborhoods to check for damage to key infrastructure, such as roadways and bridges.
Los Angeles police were also making checks of “infrastructure and critical locations.”
Shaking was also reported by residents in areas such as Tarzana, San Dimas, Long Beach, Pomona and Torrance.
Fire officials in Ventura County, close to the epicenter of the quake, also reported no damage from the shaker.
National Weather Service officials said there was no threat of a tsunami from the off-shore quake.
Officials from various emergency-response agencies said residents should use the quake as a reminder to formulate an escape plan, prepare and earthquake kit for their homes and cars and follow the advice to “drop, cover and hold on” when shaking occurs.
— City News Service
