By Gina Yarbrough
SAN DIEGO–A 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico and Southern California Sunday at 3:40 p.m. The quake rattled some residents’ nerves but did not result in any significant damage in San Diego County, according to preliminary reports from city and county agencies.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the powerful earthquake occurred in Baja California, Mexico, 110 miles southeast of San Diego. Officials say seismic waves felt from San Diego, Los Angeles to Las Vegas and Arizona.
A Mexicali city hall multistory parking structure collapsed, but no one was injured, said Baja California state Civil Protection Director Alfredo Escobedo. One death from the earthquake was reported.
Brief power outages were reported throughout Southern California and in Yuma, Arizona.
Officials say three strong aftershocks have been reported in San Diego county.
The USGS reported three strong aftershocks including a magnitude-5.1 in the Imperial County desert east of San Diego.
Susan Potter, a Geophysicist at a USGS center located in Denver, said that aftershocks are expected to continue and will decrease in size and frequency. Because the earthquake occurred over land, it reduces the chance of generating a tsunami. However regional effects may vary.
It was the strongest earthquake in San Diego county in nearly 18 years. In 1992, a 7.3 quake that hit Landers, Calif. left three dead.
The National Weather Service Tsunami Warning Center has not issued a warning or advisories to Southern California.
“Today’s earthquake reminds us of the importance of being ready for
earthquakes. We encourage families to practice the Drop, Cover and Hold On
earthquake response, so that the reaction becomes second nature. Individuals and families can be better prepared for an earthquake by making certain that they have a Family Disaster Plan and emergency supplies kit at home and work,” said Ron Lane, Director of the County Office of Emergency Services.
For information on emergency preparedness, visit www.ReadySanDiego.org and clicking on the “Family” tab. Residents can also learn more about what items to include in their emergency supplies kit and how they can secure their home by clicking on the earthquake logo and going to the “More Earthquake Info” link or the
ShakeOut link.
To receive emergency information or instructions during an emergency
affecting San Diego County, residents are encouraged to register their cell
phones on the ReadySanDiego site for AlertSanDiego, the County’s emergency notification system.
