Magnitude 5.6 earthquake jolts Mendocino County in Northern California
A quake described as the strongest in the area since 1940 struck near Willits, knocking items from shelves and cutting power to thousands.
Marcus Reeve
Writer ·
A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck near Willits in Mendocino County, jolting a rural stretch of Northern California in what officials called the area's strongest quake since 1940. Shaking was felt across inland towns and out towards Fort Bragg on the coast.
What happened
The US Geological Survey placed the epicentre about seven miles north-west of Willits at a depth of roughly five miles. Local reports described items tumbling from shelves, scattered road concerns and power outages affecting thousands of customers in nearby communities.
Authorities said injuries had been reported, though no major structural damage was immediately confirmed. Emergency teams urged residents to keep roads clear for inspectors and repair crews as aftershocks continued.
Why it matters
The MyShake warning system sent hundreds of thousands of early alerts, underlining how earthquake preparedness and rapid notification have become central public-safety tools across California.
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