By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by Autumn Endara

July 6, 2019 (San Diego) - If you felt some shaking on the Fourth of July, and even if you didn’t personally sense it, you have likely heard it was from a 6.4 magnitude earthquake in the Mojave Desert near the town of Ridgecrest. The quake is being called one of the biggest in Southern California in 20 years, could be felt in various counties as far as San Diego County and Nevada, and is continuing to put out aftershocks.

story courtesy Grossmont College

October 17, 2013 (El Cajon) -- With a statewide earthquake drill known as the "Great California Shakeout" planned for 10:17 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, panelists in Grossmont College's Griffin Center told students last week, where to expect earthquakes to repeatedly happen, how to best be prepared for them, and what it is like to experience their devastation.  Many of these tips are included in the story below.

The panel was a precursor to the Oct. 17 drill in which students, faculty and staff will be advised that in the event that they are inside a building during a real earthquake, they should drop to the floor, get under and hold onto a desk or a table, and cover their heads to prevent materials shaken loose from falling on them.  The Oct. 17 drill will last approximately two minutes after which normal classroom activities will resume.

By Nadin Abbott

March 22, 2012 (San Diego) Updated 11 p.m.--On March 20, Mexico City was rattled by the strongest earthquake since 1985. The 1985 quake had an intensity of 8.1 on the Richter scale and lasted 90 to 120 seconds. It rattled a country that had no civil defense system to speak off, one where a halting government response left a lot to be desired.

In contrast, on Tuesday the city was shaken by a 7.8 quake. Major buildings were evacuated in good order. Damage and injuries in the urban area were kept to a minimum, while in rural areas, prompt action by authorities helped to save lives.

East County News Service

July 10, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Fault lines in and near East County have become more active since the Easter earthquake in Mexico.  Both the San Jacinto and Elsinore faults have potential for a quake measuring 7.0 or higher, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.  Fortunately, planning and identifying  hazards ahead of time can reduce risk of serious harm before an earthquake hits.

For example, repairing deep plaster cracks in ceilings and foundations, anchoring overhead lights to the ceiling, and upgrading to meet local seismic building standards help reduce the impact of a quake. Creating an emergency supply kit and a family evacuation plan are also important.  Below are earthquake safety tips providing by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that you can take now—before a major quake hits our region.