US: Magnitude-5.4 earthquake occurs in Northern California at around 16:19 PDT May 11

Event

A magnitude-5.4 earthquake occurred in Northern California at around 16:19 PDT May 11. The epicenter was about 4 km (2.5 miles) southwest of East Shore, California. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 1.5 km (1 mile), and moderate-to-strong shaking was probably felt in areas in the immediate vicinity of the epicenter, with lighter shaking felt in other parts of Northern California as well as northwestern Nevada. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.