Did you feel it?
There was an earthquake that hit the Bay Area at 2:41 p.m. Thursday.
Shaking was felt in the East Bay, in San Francisco and along the peninsula.
Special Section: Earthquake Info, Maps, Resources
USGS listed an initial magnitude of 4.2 and said it was near Berkeley along the Hayward fault. They brought that number down to 3.9 10 minutes later, and back to 4.0 by 4 p.m.
There were no reports of damage beyond some photos off the walls of Oakland Hills homes.
People at the Claremont hotel, which is near the epicenter, said they they felt a hard shake but had no damage.
Local
NBC Bay Area reporter Jodi Hernandez said she was in her live truck when the earthquake hit and felt a strong jolt. Hernandez is in the Oakland Hills doing a story today on the 20 anniversary of the 1991 firestorm.
The Berkeley police department said it received a few calls regarding “ringing alarms” from both resident and security companies, adding that house, business and car alarms tend to be activated as a result of smaller earthquakes like today's.
Click here to see what people are saying about the earthquake.
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From Twitter:
@giannii tweeted "I just saw some lady fall off the treadmill when that quake hit. Good thing I was gasping for air after lifting."
@inventiongirl tweeted "felt quite strong in SF - the entire bldg shook for a few seconds"
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@SFBART tweeted "Yes there was a drill earlier today but now trains on 15-minute delay systemwide to do routine safety checks after that actual quake."
Just four hours before the quake it, millions in California took part in the Great California ShakeOut, which is a statewide earthquake drill.
Throughout the state, students and office workers attempted to “drop, cover and hold on.”
While many participated in pre-arranged programs at school and work, families and individuals also took part at home.
At home, families should talk about what might happen if an earthquake shakes the area where they live. Then use this link to play audio of the earthquake drill and instructions that others will be hearing as they take part in the drill by:
- Drop, Cover, and Hold On: Drop to the ground, take cover under a table or desk, and hold on to it as if a major earthquake were happening. Stay down for at least 60 seconds.
- While still under the table, or wherever you are, look around and imagine what would happen in a major earthquake. What would fall on you or others? What would be damaged? What would life be like after? What will you do before the actual earthquake happens to reduce losses and quickly recover?
- Optional) Practice what you will do after the shaking stops.
- After your drill is complete, have discussions about what was learned and incorporate these lessons into your disaster plan.
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee was one of the people who participated in the drill. He ducked and held with a group of school children in the City.
“The question is when, not if, there will be a major earthquake in the San Francisco Bay Area. Emergency preparedness drills like the Great California ShakeOut will help save lives in the next disaster. The safest thing to do during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on," Lee said.
Lee said today’s 4.0 earthquake centered near Berkeley on the Hayward Fault is another reminder that we have to be prepared.
