Residents recount their experiences as the area assesses the impact of the quake.
5.2 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes San Diego Region
5.2 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes San Diego Region
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake centered in Julian strikes Southern California, but no significant damage reported.
On Monday afternoon, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake jolted San Diego, California, catching residents off guard, according to data from the US Geological Survey. The tremor, which hit at 10:08 AM local time (18:00 GMT), had its epicenter in Julian, a resort town nestled in the Cuyamaca Mountains, approximately an hour northeast of San Diego.
Shortly after the earthquake, Perette Godwin, a representative for the City of San Diego, confirmed with BBC that there were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage. Similarly, the San Diego sheriff’s office stated they had not received any major damage reports, although they described the situation as "developing."
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office shared a post on X shortly following the quake, indicating he had been briefed on the response. For the hour following the initial tremor, the US Geological Survey monitored smaller aftershocks in the vicinity. The National Weather Service further reported that there was no tsunami risk following the earthquake.
In a tense moment preceding the quake, emergency alerts from the USGS instructed residents in the area to seek shelter, extending advisories as far away as Los Angeles. The alert cautioned residents to “Drop, cover, hold on. Protect yourself.”
Kevin Manaugh, a local resident who was having breakfast at the time, recounted his quick reaction to the emergency notification, recalling the force of the tremor. “Sure enough, the quaking started to happen,” Manaugh noted. “I’ve lived in San Diego most of my life, and this is probably the worst quake that I've ever felt.” He reported that the shaking lasted about three seconds, leaving him shaken but unharmed.
Despite the absence of damage to his home, Manaugh indicated that he would likely start preparing a safety kit in light of this earthquake and the recent wildfires affecting nearby areas. "It made me think that it's probably a good idea to have an evacuation bag," he concluded, reflecting on the necessity of being prepared for future emergencies.
