A State of Emergency is now in effect for both Kern and San Bernardino Counties after a 7.1 magnitude quake struck in southern California Friday night and shook much of the state, damaging structures and roads and causing several injuries.
The quake struck at 8:19 p.m. and was centered 11 miles from Ridgecrest, in the same area where a 6.4 magnitude quake hit on Thursday. Governor Newsom activated the state Office of Emergency Services operations center "to its highest level" and announced he had requested that President Donald Trump issue an emergency declaration so the state could receive federal aid.
The area in and around Ridgecrest and Trona, already trying to recover from the previous quake, took the brunt of damage. Several thousand people were without power, and there were reports of “significant” damage to homes and other buildings. Rockslides blocked access to Trona, and water supplies are short.
Aftershocks are expected in the coming days or even weeks; however, the quake is unlikely to affect fault lines outside of the area.
The quake was felt as far north as Sacramento, as far south as Mexico and as far east as Las Vegas, where sporting events were halted, postponed or called off.
The Nevada Highway Patrol says no structural damage to bridges or overpasses has been reported.
We’ll continue following this developing story on air and here at KNPR.org.