Mini-Swarm of Earthquakes Rattle Storm-Distracted Southern California
Written by George KellyPublished Aug. 20, 2023 • 3:51pm
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A United States Geological survey “Did You Feel It?” map captures citizen responses to a 5.1 magnitude earthquake Sunday, just outside Ojai in Ventura County that rattled millions of Southern Californians already on edge due to expected flooding and mudslides driven by a tropical storm. | Courtesy USGS
A mini-swarm of earthquakes shook Southern California, the U.S. Geological Survey said Sunday, as the region braced for heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hilary.
The strongest was a 5.1 quake that struck at 2:41 p.m. and was centered several miles east-southeast of Ojai in Ventura County.
According to a USGS “Did You Feel It?” community shaking-intensity map, citizens reported feeling light to moderate shaking from the quake within a hundred-mile radius across multiple Southern California counties.
At least 10 quakes followed within a half hour of the 5.1 quake, ranging in magnitude from 2.5 to 3.8.
There were no reports of injuries, damage or other disruptions from any of the earthquakes, but residents around the Los Angeles area reported feeling the shaking.
LA Mayor Karen Bass tweeted that the fire department was "now in earthquake operation mode."
The Southern California region was already on alert for heavy rains expected after the remnants of Hurricane Hilary were due to arrive onshore as a tropical storm Sunday evening.
This is a developing story.
George Kelly can be reached at gkelly@sfstandard.com
