A 5.2 magnitude earthquake has occurred northeast of San Diego, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The quake happened just after 10 a.m. local time on Monday morning, with an epicenter around four kilometers south of Julian, Californina – a small town known for its bakeries and apple pies.
Riley Ozuna, owner of the Julian Cafe & Bakery, said some cups fell onto the ground at her business. “But everything is OK,” she told The Associated Press.
Schoolchildren were escorted outside of buildings as a precaution when the ground started moving, said Captain Thomas Shoots of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for San Diego County.
“There was a lot of shaking and rattling around,” he said. “But thankfully everything seems to be back to normal.”
Paul Nelson, owner of the Eagle Mining Co., an old-fashioned gold mine in Julian where visitors can learn about panning for gold, said it shook “pretty good” but there was no damage at the mine or the gift shop, and that only a few picture frames falling over.
NEW: @CAGovernor Newsom has been briefed on the earthquake in San Diego County.
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) April 14, 2025
The state is coordinating with local authorities to assess any damage and if emergency response is needed.
“I thought the single-pane windows were going to crack because they were shaking pretty good, but they didn’t,” he said. Monday’s shake had fortunately happened before any visitors had arrived, he told AP.
“People are freaking out because it was kind of strong and it knocked things off the shelves,” Nelson said, adding that there was a helicopter flying over the area.
Light fixtures and shelves rattled in San Diego, but tremors were also felt as far north as Los Angeles.
Alerts received by residents in surrounding areas advised to “drop, cover, hold on, and protect yourself.” However, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said it received no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
"[It was the] only one I’ve felt in my adult life that actually made me nervous! It lasted so long I was worried we’d start to see damage but thankfully the shaking stopped before things started falling off the walls," one San Diego resident told The Independent.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the earthquake, his office said in a statement on social media.
“The state is coordinating with local authorities to assess any damage and if emergency response is needed,” the statement added.
California crews experiment with new fishing methods designed to protect mammals
Police fear missing woman who died after being pulled from a drain was there days
‘Home growns are next’: Trump tells Bukele to build more jails for citizens
Hackers insert Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg’s voices into crosswalk signals
Trump says he’s flexible on tariffs but won’t change his mind over electronic duties
Katy Perry and all-female crew launch into space aboard Blue Origin rocket: Live
