Welcome back to California. Fires in Southern California and tonight an earthquake here. I was working at the computer and the house started shaking. I realized what it was and got to a door jam quickly. This one went on for a VERY long time. My parents live in a mobile home and all joking aside I thought the house was going to go off its foundation it was that big. It lasted 30 seconds, was centered about six miles (or less) from our house, and measured 5.6 on the richter scale. I was in the door way in a flash, my mom was holding the turtle tank from falling over, my sister was trying to get to my nephew, my dad was in bed covering his head and my nephew’s from falling stuff.

So far there are no reports of damage or injuries — thank goodness. But, it was pretty big. It really felt a lot larger than 5.6 to me. We need to go inspect gas lines right now. It was felt pretty far and wide. Started pretty jerky and was quickly followed by some big rolls.

My sister called (she lives about 40 miles south of us) and she felt it in her upstairs apartment (it was her girlfriend’s first earthquake and I guess she was a little scared). They’ve reported it was felt in San Francisco which is about 40+ miles north of us. My nephew’s first comment was “that was scary” not sure what was scarier for him…the things falling from the headboard, the house rocking all over the place, or Auntie yelling at him to “COME HERE NOW!” trying to get him into the doorway with me.

So, forget about TV tonight for us….we’ll be listening to Earthquake news for a couple days which I guess is OK. The experts are saying that the magnitude of this earthquake is a sign of a lot of aftershocks and it could possibly be a precursor to a much bigger earthquake due to the size of the release. My aunt and uncle have moved their cars out of their garage and have their evacuation kits ready. We’ve moved my dad’s medicine so we can quickly evacuate if necessary. Hmmm…I might be going home to Idaho sooner than I thought if our family has to evacuate there.

Till later…