Magnitude 5.6 Earthquake Strikes Northern California
Northern California earthquake Mendocino County
A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck a rural area of Northern California on Wednesday morning, June 24, 2026, triggering widespread alerts and shaking communities across the region. The seismic event occurred at approximately 8:10 a.m. local time, with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) locating the epicenter about 7 miles north of Redwood Valley and near Willits in Mendocino County. The quake, which occurred at a depth of roughly 5 miles, was felt as far away as the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and the California-Nevada border.
While initial reports indicated minor incidents, authorities have confirmed there are no reports of major injuries or significant structural damage. Local officials in Ukiah reported instances of items falling off shelves and walls, and some residents experienced temporary power outages.
Emergency crews and city inspectors have been deployed to assess public infrastructure, including historic buildings, as a precautionary measure. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with local responders to ensure public safety.
The earthquake triggered nearly 657,000 early warning alerts through the MyShake app and the USGS ShakeAlert system, providing residents with critical seconds to prepare. Seismologists noted that while the shaking was felt widely, the intensity varied significantly based on distance from the epicenter. Following the initial tremor, the USGS recorded several aftershocks of magnitude 2.5 or greater. Authorities have confirmed there is no tsunami threat associated with the event and continue to advise the public to stay informed and follow local emergency guidance.
