Los Angeles, CA – A preliminary magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck near Mettler, California, at 9:09 PM PDT, shaking the region but causing no reported damage within the city of Los Angeles.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the quake’s epicenter was 89 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. LAFD immediately activated “Earthquake Mode,” deploying personnel from all 106 neighborhood fire stations to conduct strategic surveys by land, air, and sea. They inspected critical infrastructure and areas of concern across the city’s 470 square miles.
LAFD completed the earthquake mode protocol with no significant damage reported. This process typically takes less than an hour. Currently, there are no initial reports of structural damage or injuries.
Though no further earthquake activity is predicted, firefighters urge residents to prepare for possible aftershocks. They advise following the “Drop, Cover, Hold On!” protocol if inside when shaking starts: protect your head and neck, take cover under sturdy furniture or near a sturdy interior wall, and stay away from windows and doorways until the shaking stops. After the quake, check your home and workplace for damage, and ensure the safety of pets and at-risk neighbors, especially seniors living alone.
Residents can sign up for LAFD Incident Alerts for real-time updates. For more information, visit ready.lacity.gov.
