KERNVILLE, Calif. About 45 miles to the west of the quake's epicenter, San Diegan Jose Blanco was watching television on the couch in his parents' home. His three children were playing outside.
"Banging, jolting, up and down ... eyes were shaking. Just seemed surreal," said Blanco.
Blanco says he jumped off the couch and then froze, trying to wait out the shaking.
"Wow, is this really happening? Just shocked ... Seemed like a good minute. Seemed like forever," said Blanco.
When the home finally stopped moving, Blanco ran to his children and found them safe. A few things fell and a few cabinet doors opened, but there was no major damage. In the first few hours after the quake, he felt more than 10 aftershocks. He and his family may not get much sleep.
"Wondering if there's going to be more, if it's going to keep going," said Blanco.
Getting back to San Diego is another concern. A crack that appeared on one of the nearby Highway 178 has been repaired, but Blanco wary of getting on the road.
