California has been struck by an earthquake while also dealing with severe wildfires that have resulted in the loss of 10 lives and the destruction of more than 10,000 homes and buildings.
The state is now handling two disasters at once after a 3.7 magnitude earthquake rattled San Francisco on Friday morning.
The earthquake was detected about five miles southwest of the Golden Gate Bridge at around 7 am PT.
There have been no reports of damage or injuries, according to the San Francisco Fire Department.
In response to the situation, city officials have been mobilized to ensure the safety of residents, with first responders actively working across the city.
The quake appeared to stem from the San Andreas Fault, according to a map by the US Geological Survey.
It comes after just last month, a magnitude 7 earthquake rocked the Bay Area and sparked tsunami warnings and evacuations.
Now, just 400 miles down the coast, Californians are evacuating as multiple blazes have displaced tens of thousands of Los Angeles residents.
It comes as…
- Ten people have died as uncontrolled wildfires engulf Los Angeles
- More than 180,000 residents have been forced to flee their homes as over 10,000 structures are destroyed
- An ‘arsonist armed with a blowtorch’ was arrested
- The Kenneth Fire is the latest fire to threaten the city after sparking Thursday night
- Firefighters are “maxed out” and reportedly running out of water
- Terrified families screamed and ‘ran for their lives’
- Celebrity homes have been torched, including A-listers like Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, and Anthony Hopkins
“A massive fire and an earthquake hitting California in a week’s time?” one X user wrote.
“Enough already! The West Coast doesn’t need San Andreas to start acting up now, thank you very much,” another shared.
“Fires, earthquake what next for California…locusts and frogs?” a third shared.
The apocalyptic wildfires in Los Angeles forced over 180,000 residents to flee as firefighters fight to contain the wind-controlled blazes.
Fire responders and cadaver dogs are combing through burnt debris to search for victims of the most devastating blaze in the city’s history.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said areas of the city “look like a bomb was dropped in them.”
Plus, a terrifying blunder caused the phones of all 10 million Los Angeles residents to ring with emergency alerts.
“An EVACUATION WARNING has been issued in your area,” said the message, which was sent in error to the city’s entire population.
Mayor Karen Bass has come under fire as residents demand apologies for her neglect of fire management policies.
What causes earthquakes?
Here’s everything you need to know…
- An earthquake is a shockwave caused by rocks being under extreme forces
- They are typically triggered by the movement of Earth’s crust
- Earth’s tectonic plates, the massive shelves of crust that carry the continents and seafloor, meet at points called fault lines
- When these plates rub over or against one another, huge amounts of pressure are generated
- This creates shockwaves that send violent vibrations through Earth
- The shock can split the planet’s crust and create devestating tsunamis
Governor Gavin Newsom has also faced huge criticism from his residents – and from President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump called for Newsom to resign on Wednesday after accusing him of blocking a law regarding water runoff.
The president-elect said Newsom was more focused on saving “worthless fish” than his own residents.
President Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the handling of the crisis, calling for the provision of clean water to flow into California.
“He is to blame for this.”
Resources for the Los Angeles wildfires
As wildfires continue to grow in and around Los Angeles cities, residents can reach out for help with resources and aid offered by organizations throughout the area.
To keep track of the live fire movements, residents can download the Watch Duty app or use its website.
You can register for emergency notifications through Alert LA County.
A comprehensive list of resources is available here.
Available shelters for evacuating residents include:
- Calvary Community Church
- Ritchie Valens Recreation Center
- Pan Pacific Recreational Center
- Westwood Recreation Center
- Pasadena Civic Auditorium
- Pomona Fairplex
- Stoner Recreation Center
Available animal shelters include:
- Agoura Animal Care Center
- Baldwin Park Animal Care Center
- Carson Animal Care Center
- Downey Animal Care Center
- Lancaster Animal Care Center
- Palmdale Animal Care Center
- Pomona Fairplex
- Industry Hills Expo
- Antelope Valley Fair
Free meals are being distributed to evacuees at restaurants and kitchens including:
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