The ground beneath Northern California trembled on the morning of June 24, 2026, as a 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck near Redwood Valley sending shockwaves across the region. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake, centered about 7 miles north of Redwood Valley, was felt as far south as San Francisco and as far north as Eureka.
The seismic event, which occurred at 8:10 a.m. PT, marked the largest earthquake in California in over three years. Residents across the region described the intense shaking, with some reporting damage to their homes and businesses. The quake was followed by several aftershocks the largest of which measured below 3.0 in magnitude.
The impact of the earthquake on local communities
In Mendocino County the earthquake caused noticeable damage, particularly in rural areas. Residents reported cracked home structures, caved-in roofs, and fallen items. The Redwood Valley Market owned by Alex Chehada, experienced significant disruption as broken wine bottles and scattered groceries littered the aisles.
“It just kept going,” Chehada recounted. “We ran out of the store. Nobody got hurt, thank God. I’ve been here 23 years and never felt anything like that.” The cleanup effort took several hours, highlighting the quake’s disruptive power.
The earthquake also triggered power outages affecting thousands of residents. PG&E reported that approximately 10,000 customers lost power in Mendocino County, with 7,439 customers still without electricity by 11 a.m. The outages added to the challenges faced by local communities in the aftermath of the quake.
Scientific insights and historical context
Scientists from the USGS provided insights into the earthquake’s characteristics and its historical context. The quake is believed to have occurred on the Maacama Fault a significant geological feature that runs from Healdsburg in Sonoma County to Laytonville in Mendocino County. This fault is capable of producing major earthquakes up to a magnitude of 7.5.
Sarah Minson, a research geophysicist with the USGS Earthquake Science Center, noted that the epicenter’s location in a remote area likely limited the extent of the damage. “The shaking intensity was strong right over the source, but it decayed fairly rapidly,” Minson explained. “There wasn’t a large area impact.”
The earthquake also set off earthquake alerts on phones across Northern California, including in the Bay Area. The California Office of Emergency Services reported that 657,000 early warning alerts were sent by the MyShake app demonstrating the effectiveness of the state’s early warning system.
Community response and future considerations
Local authorities and emergency services were quick to respond to the earthquake. The Mendocino County spokesperson, Heather Rose, reported some injuries but no fatalities. Officials were actively assessing the area for damage and coordinating with emergency services to ensure the safety of residents.
Governor Gavin Newsom stated that officials were actively assessing potential impacts and working to provide assistance to affected communities. The earthquake served as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and the need for robust infrastructure to withstand seismic events.
As Northern California continues to recover from the earthquake, residents are encouraged to Stay Informed and prepared for potential aftershocks. The event highlights the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity and the ongoing efforts to mitigate its impact.
