Update | National Weather Service cancels tsunami warning for US West Coast after 7.0 earthquake
EUREKA, Calif. (AP) — The National Weather Service cancelled its tsunami warning for the US West Coast after a powerful earthquake shook parts of California on Thursday.
At least 5.3 million people in California were under a tsunami warning after the 7.0-magnitude temblor, the US Geological Survey said in a yellow alert, which predicted localised but minimal damage.
The quake was felt as far south as San Francisco, where residents felt a rolling motion for several seconds. It was followed by smaller aftershocks.
There were no immediate reports of major damage or injury.
The quake struck at 10:44 a.m. west of Ferndale, a small city in coastal Humboldt County near the Oregon border, according to the USGS.
A tsunami warning was issued shortly after the temblor struck and covered nearly 500 miles (805 km) of coastline, from the edge of California's Monterey Bay north into Oregon.
Numerous cities had put evacuations in place as a precaution, urging residents to move to higher ground or further inland.
Eureka Mayor Kim Bergel said crews were assessing damage from the quake. So far there have been no reports of major damage or injuries. Bergel, who works as a resource aid at a middle school, said lights were swaying and everyone got under desks.
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, known as BART, stopped traffic in all directions through the underwater tunnel between San Francisco and Oakland.
The San Francisco Zoo's visitors were evacuated as a result of the earthquake, the zoo said in a post on the social media platform X. The animals have been secured and staff has been moved to higher ground.
Shortly after the quake, phones in Northern California buzzed with the now-cancelled tsunami warning from the National Weather Service that said: “A series of powerful waves and strong currents may impact coasts near you. You are in danger. Get away from coastal waters. Move to high ground or inland now. Keep away from the coast until local officials say it is safe to return.”
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