Magnitude 4.2 Earthquake Jolts Southern California

Many residents of South California woke up to an alarming wake-up call early Thursday morning as a magnitude 4.2 earthquake rattled the San Fernando Valley. 

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the earthquake happened at 4:29 a.m. Pacific time in San Fernando. 

It was centered in the Pacoima area. The rattle was felt in the Los Angeles Basin, as well as in Orange County. Fortunately, no damage from the quake was reported.

Residents of Glendale, La Crescenta, downtown Los Angeles, the Miracle Mile area, Hollywood, and Pasadena reported that they felt the earthquake.

An aftershock of magnitude 3.3 followed, but there were no damages reported as well. It happened at 5.6 miles in depth. 

The Los Angeles Fire Department said that they immediately implemented their post-earthquake protocols: fire department vehicles and helicopters were deployed to patrol its 470 square-mile area to find damage or residents who need help. At 5:30 a.m., the department said it had completed its protocols. 

The epicenter is in the same areas as the 1971 San Fernando earthquake. It had a magnitude of 6.5. The earthquake, also known as the Sylmar quake, claimed more than 60 people's lives and caused about $500 million worth of damaged properties.

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Wake-up Call in the Morning for San Fernando Valley Residents 

Carlos Garcia, a resident of Pacoima, said he was sleeping at that time but was woken up by the quake. He felt the jolt. He said he immediately checked on his family and was relieved to know that everyone was okay. 

Manuel Rivera took a nap in his car at an Arco gas station in Pacoima when he was interrupted by the quake. He thought that somebody was hitting his car, only to realize that the rattling was due to the earthquake.

Patty Rodriguez said she heard of noises from the kitchen. It was strong enough to open her kitchen cabinets. The quake, however, did no significant damage. 

A recent study reveals that Los Angeles gets an average of five earthquakes, with magnitudes 4.0 to 5.0 every year. 

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Here are some tips to prepare for an earthquake: 

• Make your home earthquake resilient.
  Make sure that you strap bookshelves, microwaves, television to the wall to prevent furniture and appliances from falling over your head. 
• Check if your home or business needs retrofitting. 
  This could be done by hiring a foundation specialist or structural engineer to see if the operation is necessary California Residential Mitigation Program offers a grant of approximately $3,000 to retrofit specific types of homes.
• Drop, cover, and hold.
  When an earthquake happens, drop on the floor, cover the head and neck, and get underneath a table. When the 2003 Paso Roble Quake happened, bricks crashed on two women who fled the building. According to experts, had they stayed indoor, they would have survived. 

• Prepare a to-go kit.
  Pack food, water, medicine, and anything else you may need or the next 74 hours, and do not forget to pack for your pet's needs and never leave your pet behind.

• Consider earthquake insurance.
  Earthquake insurance gives homeowners the capacity to repair their properties should, and earthquakes damage their homes. Renters can have benefits as well if the disaster renders the rented apartment damaged. Earthquake insurance can also cover the cost of temporary housing.

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