SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake shook Ridgecrest Friday night, a day after a 6.4 quake rattled the same area of Southern California.
Friday's tremor happened at 8:19 p.m. and was centered 11 miles outside the high desert town. It was felt throughout southern California and as far east as Las Vegas. The quake was described as a rolling motion that seemed to last at least a half-minute.
No deaths are reported as a result of the violent earthquake, according to Kern County Fire Department Chief David Witt. CAL OES said a number of injuries have been reported though.
CAL OES officials added several structure fires, gas line breaks, water main breaks, and power outages were reported following the shake-up.
Kern County Saturday press conference:
Ridgecrest Saturday press conference:
"Intel is still being gathered. Responding to calls for service and ordering additional resources. Kern County is activating the Emergency Operations Center. Please stay safe and call 911 in case of emergency. Please leave phone lines open whenever possible," the Kern County Fire Department tweeted.
Also, San Bernardino County firefighters reported cracked buildings, gas leaks, and a minor injury.
Sr-178 was significantly damaged, state transportation official said. Rockslides along the freeway prompted a full closure at San Bernardino to about 14 miles east of Kern County.
The earthquake was immediately followed by multiple aftershocks, the largest of which measured a 4.7-magnitude.
"The M6.4 was a foreshock," USGS seismologist Lucy Jones tweeted, referring to Thursday's jolt. "This was a M7.1 on the same fault as has been producing the Searles Valley sequence. This is part of the same sequence."
The Los Angeles Fire Department sent vehicles and helicopters around Los Angeles to identify any damages or emergency needs following the magnitude-7.1 earthquake, according to Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
"No reports of serious damage in @LACity related to the earthquake tonight," Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted. An Urban Search and Rescue Task Force team is being sent to Kern County to help with the damage closer to the epicenter, Garcetti says.
About 1,000 customers were without power due to a possible earthquake-related outage in the Encino/Valley Glen area, according to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Outages have been reported in Kern, Inyo and San Bernardino counties, according to Southern California Edison.
California Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted he has activated the Office of Emergency Services to its highest level in response to the powerful quake.
"In response to another large earthquake in Southern California tonight, I have activated the @Cal_OES state operation center to its highest level. The state is coordinating mutual aid to local first responders," Newsom tweeted.
EXPECT ANOTHER STRONG ONE VERY SOON
There is a "high probability'' of a magnitude 5 or greater aftershock to Friday's 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Ridgecrest in the next week, according to USGS seismologist Lucy Jones. There is a 50% chance of a magnitude 6 or greater quake and about a 10% chance of a magnitude 7 or greater temblor in the next week, said Jones.
Jones noted that Ridgecrest quakes were far from the San Andreas Fault.
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10News is monitoring the situation for breaking developments.
