More than a dozen earthquakes rock Southern California amid Tropical Storm Hilary
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. - A preliminary 5.1-magnitude earthquake was reported in Ventura County Sunday afternoon – and then followed by about a dozen shocks.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake happened around 2:41 p.m. with a magnitude of 5.1. The quake was reported about 4.3 miles southeast of Ojai with about 9 miles in depth.
Seconds after the earthquake, at least 17 aftershocks were reported – all centered around Ojai. Its preliminary magnitudes were reported between 2.5 to 3.9.
The series of shakes knocked over wine bottles at the Westridge Family Markets, a grocery store in Ojai. Thankfully, grocery store workers were able to clean up the mess shortly after the earthquakes hit the area.
LA Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley says there have been no reports of any injuries or severe damage due to the tropical storm. She says a number of reports have been made about power lines down, there have been two debris flows reported in Sherman Oaks and at least one large tree toppled over in Westwood. Tenants of an apartment building in Koreatown reported a partial roof collapse, she says. The city Department of Water and Power is reporting power outages for about 5,000 customers, with Boyle Heights and Hollywood the most impacted areas.
USGS is asking those who felt the two earthquakes to report on the agency's website.
Earthquake expert Lucy Jones wrote on X that the shaker appeared to have been preceded to a series of foreshocks that began Saturday morning. She said the area will likely continue to experience aftershocks, with a 5% chance of one that will be larger than the initial 5.1-magnitude quake.
"There is no correlation between the earthquake and the tropical storm," she wrote. "Just a coincidence that is a good reminder that disaster resilience is a multi-hazard endeavor."
The series of quakes come as Southern California braces for Tropical Storm Hilary. Hilary made landfall in Baja California early Sunday afternoon and is expected to reach California in the evening.
As California awaits possible landfall, the severe weather from Sunday morning and afternoon has already knocked out power for Southern California residents and flooded roads.
TRACKING HILARY
- Tropical Storm Warning issued in Southern California for 1st time
- Tropical Storm Hilary: What's closed, canceled across SoCal
- SoCal power outages: When it will be restored in your area
- Where to get free sandbags by county
- 'Hunker down' & 'Stay off the roads,' National Weather Service warns SoCal residents
Leading up to this weekend, the National Weather Service warned Southern California residents to avoid leaving the house as Hilary moved closer and closer to California.
"Hunker down and take it easy for Sunday and Monday," the NWS advised Friday. "Stay off the roads."
CNS contributed to this report.