Earthquake Shakes San Diego County

March 6th Update: The overnight hours saw some light seismic activity roll through the Lakeside area, but none severe enough to place the agency on "earthquake status." To date there has been no reported "quake" damage in the Lakeside area.

March 5th Update:  A 4:17 AM, Heartland Communications Center placed all Lakeside Fire Stations back on earthquake mode for another tremor that was felt in the San Diego area. At this time there has been no reports of damage in the Lakeside area. 

Some components of local US&R teams have been sent to the area to evaluate the situation and provide technical expertise. 

Magnitude 7.2 - local magnitude (ML)
Time Sunday, April 4, 2010 at 3:40:39 PM (PDT)
Sunday, April 4, 2010 at 22:40:39 (UTC)
Distance from Guadalupe Victoria, Baja California, Mexico - 26 km (16 miles) SSW (211 degrees)
San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora, Mexico - 61 km (38 miles) SW (227 degrees)
San Luis, AZ - 64 km (40 miles) SW (225 degrees)
Gadsden, AZ - 68 km (42 miles) SW (220 degrees)
Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico - 173 km (108 miles) ESE (106 degrees)

You can download a residential safety guide, provided by FEMA, at our Google Group location. Just click here

FEMA Guidelines: What to Do During an Earthquake

Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and if you are indoors, stay there until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

If indoors

• DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
• Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
• Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway.
• Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
• Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
• DO NOT use the elevators.

If outdoors

• Stay there.
• Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
• Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If in a moving vehicle

• Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
• Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If trapped under debris

• Do not light a match.
• Do not move about or kick up dust.
• Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
• Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

Photos from Mexicali area: