5.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits South California in the Midst of Tropical Storm Hilary

(Photo : Mario Tama / Getty Images)
Tropical rain, an earthquake at magnitude 5.1, and dozens of aftershocks are hounding Southern California.

A tropical storm with the potential for tornadoes and flooding is chasing South California while a magnitude 5.1 earthquake in Ojai City was followed by dozens of aftershocks.

#Hurriquake: Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake, Dozens of Aftershocks, Tropical Storm

On Sunday, there was an earthquake in southern California, which is currently experiencing a tropical storm brought on by Hurricane Hilary.

The 5.1-magnitude earthquake's epicenter occurred about 80 miles northwest of Los Angeles, four miles southeast of the city of Ojai, as per the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

There have been reports of shaking in several places, including Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Newbury Park, Santa Barbara, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, sections of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, Malibu, Porter Ranch, and Manhattan Beach.

The earthquake, which occurred at 2:41 PM, was reportedly 14.6 km deep. Over two dozen aftershocks with magnitudes as high as 4.1 have since occurred. According to USGS, no places are anticipated to be harmed by liquefaction and landslides.

The earthquake, with a preliminarily estimated magnitude of 5.0, was the subject of notifications from the National Emergency Notification System (ENS).

Earthquake Operation Mode

The 5.1 earthquake that struck this afternoon near Ojai, according to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, activated the LAPD's Earthquake Operation mode.

Additionally, Bass stated that a strategic survey would be carried out by all 106 neighborhood fire stations. At this time, there have been no notable first reports of injuries or structural damage.

Dr. Lucy Jones, a seismologist, described the location's interest. Since 1932, the area has not experienced an earthquake of this size in this precise spot, let alone within the Ventura basin.

More aftershocks are anticipated in the following days, according to Jones.

After the early morning quake, the hashtag #hurriquake soon became popular on X.

Other Announcements

This survey will be carried out from the ground, air, and sea, according to a statement from the Los Angeles Fire Department. If there isn't any major damage when this procedure is finished and the reports are combined, Earthquake Operation Mode, a procedure that takes less than an hour, will be completed. Usually, this procedure takes under an hour.

On the other hand, the National Weather Service Los Angeles stated that there is NO tsunami hazard for southern California.

However, the most recent public advisory from the National Hurricane Center predicts that a few tornadoes could occur until Sunday night.

The earthquake occurred as southern California was experiencing Hurricane Hilary's downgrading to a tropical storm, which is a first since 1939.

Also Read: 36-Foot Giant Saguaro Cactus in Arizona Falls to Wind, Rain, Not Extreme Heat, State Park Explains 

Post Tropical Hilary

Through today, parts of Southern California and Southern Nevada can expect further rainfall levels of 2 to 4 inches from post-Tropical Hilary, with isolated storm total amounts of up to 12 inches. Locally severe flash and urban floods are anticipated to continue.

Residents were urged by the National Hurricane Center to get ready for hazardous to catastrophic floods, with some areas possibly seeing localized major flash flooding. Additionally, it predicted coastal flooding throughout the northern Gulf of California coast.

Two urgent emergency messages were sent out to millions of Southern Californians on Sunday: flash flood and earthquake in Ventura County. 

Related Article: Hurricane Hilary Expected To Threaten California With Deep Floods; Evacuations Already Underway