Cluster of Recent Quakes a Wake-Up Call for Los Angeles Area Residents
The cluster of earthquakes that continue to roll through Southern California this weekend are rousing the concern of residents who admit they've largely ignored previous calls for emergency planning, amid the region's typical days of golden, balmy sunshine and seemingly infinite entertainment options.
"Getting emergency supplies and figuring out what to do in a disaster is always on my mind," Matty Solis told Latin Post. "But, with such busy daily lives, you forget --- I forgot."
But, said the administrative assistant from Covina, "now I'm starting to feel a little scared, like maybe the Big One is coming. I'm going to the store to stock up on food and water today."
"Wow, I really don't like earthquakes," said Jerry Ramos, a beverage delivery driver from Whittier. "I really didn't like the feeling last night --- the way the aftershocks are continuing. I try to avoid thinking about quakes."
After Friday night's significant temblor and ongoing aftershocks that have so far continued into the late morning, "the wife and I have sat down and started making plans," Ramos said.
More than 100 aftershocks have hit the southern region of California, in the wake of a 5.1-magnitude earthquake centered near the city of La Habra in Orange County, about 28 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.
The U.S. Geological Survey reports the largest aftershock appears to have been a 3.4-magnitude quake that again struck near the city of La Habra a little over two hours after the initial jolt.
"That's enough for me," said Josh Ramirez-Ponce, a college student from Temple City. "I was thinking about moving out of California after I graduate in May. Now, I'm pretty sure I will. I think something big is coming."
There haven't been any official reports of major damage or injuries related to last night's shaker, although emergency crews responded to reports of broken water mains near the epicenter, several utility customers in the La Habra area lost power for a short time, about 50 residents were temporarily displaced from their homes due to safety concerns and television news shows ran videos from stores throughout the region suffering aisles strewn with toppled merchandise.
The 5.1-magnitude earthquake followed a 4.4-magnitude quake that hit the Los Angeles area the week before.
Southern California has not experienced a destructive earthquake since 1994, when the 6.7-magnitude Northridge quake killed several dozen people and caused billions of dollars in damage.
"This settles it. I'm going to the emergency supply store," asserted computer programmer Rod Suarez from Alhambra.
"But," he added, "I'm supposed to take my girlfriend out for our second-year anniversary to her favorite restaurant. And we already have reservations...with the other things I have to do for work, today's I guess already shot. So, I'll go shopping tomorrow. Definitely.....I'm pretty sure."
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