Panic as earthquake triggers warnings across three US states

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy CHRIS MELORE, US DEPUTY SCIENCE EDITOR Published: 16:59 BST, 24 June 2026 | Updated: 17:30 BST, 24 June 2026

A strong earthquake has struck the US West Coast, triggering urgent warnings for millions to shelter in place during the seismic shockwaves.The US Geological Survey said a magnitude 5.6 quake erupted in Northern California at 11.10am ET on Wednesday, less than 120 miles north of San Francisco.Residents in California, Nevada and Oregon reported feeling the shaking caused by the major seismic event.While the strongest shaking was reported right at the quake's epicenter near Redwood Valley, the tremors traveled more than 600 miles up and down the West Coast, reaching Coos Bay, Oregon in the north and Salinas, California in the south.That range includes the entire San Francisco Bay Area, home to more than seven million people, and affecting multiple cities including San Jose, Sacramento, Concord, Oakland, Stockton and Modesto.Moneca Vargas at Saint Mary's Catholic School in Ukiah told KTVU: 'That was the biggest earthquake I have felt in my life, and I’ve lived in Ukiah for most of my 54 years. My whole house shook.'Other residents close to the source in Northern California compared the shockwaves to a 'freight train' rolling through their homes, causing items to fall from shelves and officials to sound the official earthquake alert system for quakes stronger than magnitude 4.5.While the shockwaves reached level seven in certain areas, meaning 'very strong' shaking and moderate damage, according to USGS, there have been no reports of injuries at this time.This is a breaking story. More details to follow. A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck California on Wednesday, June 24 Residents throughout the California Bay Area, Nevada's Carson City and southern Oregon felt the shaking on Wednesday Thousands of Americans along the West Coast received an official warning message as the earthquake struck California, originally calling the event a magnitude 6.0 quake