[Update: 7400 Without Power] 5.6 Earthquake Rattles Mendocino County; Power Lines Down in Willits, CalFire Assessing Damage

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Mendocino County Wednesday morning, shaking communities across a wide stretch of Northern California and triggering immediate emergency response across the region.

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the quake at 8:10 a.m. local time at a depth of 8.1 kilometers, with an epicenter approximately 11 kilometers north of Redwood Valley. The earthquake registered a maximum intensity of VII on the Did You Feel It scale — described as very strong shaking — near the epicenter. Alerts went out as far north as Hydesville in Humboldt County and as far south as Berkeley in the Bay Area.

A magnitude 2.5 aftershock followed at 8:17 a.m., approximately seven minutes after the initial quake, also centered 11 kilometers north of Redwood Valley at a much shallower depth of 1.8 kilometers. Additional aftershocks are common following earthquakes of this size and residents should expect continued minor shaking in the coming hours and days.

Early reports indicate at least one 12-kilovolt power line is down across a roadway in Willits. CalFire has directed all stations to evaluate for structural and glass break damage and has ordered all vehicles moved outside of quarters and housing as a precaution. CHP conducted a status check roll call of Laytonville units following the quake.

At least one North Coast resident reported the P-wave — the initial, rolling wave that precedes stronger shaking — arrived gently in their area.

Redheaded Blackbelt is contacting emergency services and will update this story as information on damage and injuries becomes available.

Readers with information on damage in their area are encouraged to share details in the comments below.

Anyone who felt the quake is encouraged to file a report with the USGS Did You Feel It page at earthquake.usgs.gov.

This story is being updated as information becomes available.

Update, 9:15 a.m.: More than 7,400 PG&E customers across Mendocino County lost power following the quake, with Willits bearing the brunt of the outages. PG&E data shows 2,559 customers affected in Willits across multiple zones, with estimated restoration times ranging from 11:15 a.m. for Willits West to 2:45 p.m. for the main Willits area. Laytonville restoration is estimated at 3:15 p.m. Covelo and Brooktrails are also affected.

Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall, reached by phone shortly after the quake, confirmed power lines are down and that law enforcement, fire, and public works crews are all working the situation.

“It’s all hands on deck,” Kendall said.

Kendall said Willits Howard Memorial Hospital experienced shaking that moved monitors and computer equipment but remained operational. His relayed residents in the Willits area reported significant shaking with items falling off walls but so far no injuries have been reported. The Cahto Tribe in Laytonville also reported power outages.

The Willits Charter School was evacuated as a precautionary measure.

According to Kendall, MCSO is working closely with Willits PD and Willits City Officials as they assess damages and city infrastructure.

Kendall urged the public to stay off highways and monitor mendoready.org for updates. The county OES cooperators were holding a damage assessment meeting Wednesday morning.