California earthquake live: Tsunami warnings lifted after 7.0-magnitude earthquake hits West Coast

Residents across California and the Pacific Northwest were alerted to a tsunami warning Thursday after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of northern California.

The warning, however, was quickly dismissed. What happened?

Meteorologist Matthew Cappucci had a helpful explanation why for MyRadar Weather.

Fortunately, the tsunami waves did not overwhelm the west coast today.

If they did, California communities might have to deal with a troubling trend that emerged after Hurricane Helena: politicized disaster relief.

When the storm passed, it was just before Election Day, and Republican officials like Donald Trump and JD Vance did not hesitate to spread false claims about the nature of the government’s response to the disaster.

Here’s the coverage from Julia Musto and Kelly Rissman about this worrying phenomenon.

A series of smaller aftershocks are expected over the next week after today’s magnitude 7.0 earthquake off the coast of California.

More than ten have already been reported.

The tremors will weaken over time, although there is still about a five percent chance of a 6.0 earthquake within the next week, according to Christine Goulet, director of the USGS Earthquake Center. said NBC News.

“After 7, there could be some pretty big aftershocks,” she said. “As time goes on, they will become rarer and smaller.”

“Several aftershocks have already occurred and will continue for the next week,” according to the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network. “There is a 35% chance of one or more aftershocks greater than M5. There will likely be tens to hundreds of smaller aftershocks over the next week in the magnitude 3 range.”

Authorities eventually lifted a tsunami warning for Northern California on Thursday after the offshore earthquake, but the circumstances continued to affect Oakland resident Nuala Bishari.

She it says in San Francisco Chronicle The fear that Thursday prompted her family to study the details of their disaster plans, such as how to stay in touch and what supplies they should have on hand.

“We are considering expensive long-range walkie-talkies in case cell service goes out,” she wrote. “I found an old backpack that I can use as a bag. I’m shoving in passports and car titles as I write this.”

“There’s a lot to figure out. But as stressful as Thursday’s tsunami warning was, it was a wake-up call for all of us to better prepare,” she added. “Next stop for me: the grocery store, to finally stock up on emergency food.”

They came from as far north as Salem, Ore., and as far south as California’s San Joaquin Valley, the agency said.

Previous USGS research has identified natural forces as a significant threat to low-lying communities on its coast.

A 2013 study said the tsunami inundation zone affects hundreds of thousands of residents and land in 94 incorporated cities, 83 unincorporated communities and 20 counties on the California coast.

In that zone there are schools, kindergartens, banks, shops, entertainment areas, beaches, national parks and other tourist areas.

“Community exposure to tsunamis in California varies significantly—some communities may experience large losses that reflect only a small portion of their community, and others may experience relatively small losses that devastate them.” the authors of the study said.

“The President has been briefed on a magnitude 7.0 earthquake off the coast of Northern California. At his direction, senior administration and regional FEMA officials are in contact with their state and local counterparts in California and Oregon,” White House spokesman Jeremy Edwards said in a statement Thursday afternoon.

“We stand ready to provide further support as needed – there is no request for federal assistance at this time,” he said. “We encourage all residents to remain vigilant and listen to local officials.”