4.4 magnitude earthquake rattles Los Angeles and beyond

An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.4 hit Southern California Monday afternoon, sending shockwaves that were felt across the region.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake, which was initially reported as magnitude 4.7, struck around 12:20 p.m. about 2.5 miles south, southeast of Highland Park near Los Angeles’ Chinatown neighborhood.

The earthquake struck at a depth of 7.5 miles and hundreds of people across the greater Los Angeles area reported feeling shaking, according to the USGS “Felt Report.”

The temblor was felt from L.A.’s westside to the Inland Empire and beyond, according to KTLA viewers.

In Hollywood, KTLA’s Glen Walker said the “whole building was shaking pretty good.” He added that the station’s engineering team was inspecting the building and “checking things out.”

The Los Angeles Fire Department went into “earthquake mode” after the shaking subsided, with fire personnel from all of the 106 LAFD neighborhood stations deployed to survey their districts in search of damage to critical infrastructure or “areas of local concern.”

That process remained active as of 1:45 p.m., and no significant infrastructure damage had yet been identified within the LAFD service area.

Margaret Stewart of the LAFD told KTLA there had not been any “reports of extensive damage anywhere.”

However, footage from Sky 5 appeared to show water spewing from the side of Pasadena City Hall, and fire crews were on the scene.

The National Weather Service said the U.S. Tsunami Warning System was not triggered and there was no threat of tsunami due to Monday’s quake.

This is a developing story. Stay with KTLA 5 News for updates.

Thousands of earthquakes are recorded in California each year, but the vast majority are extremely minor. Several hundred reach a magnitude of 3.0, and only about 15 to 20 are greater than magnitude 4.0, according to the USGS.

In North America, only Alaska records more quakes per year than California.

What to do in an earthquake

During an earthquake, it’s crucial to know the proper steps to protect yourself and minimize injury. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) provides detailed guidelines on what to do during such events. Here are the key points:

Drop, Cover, and Hold On:

Drop: Immediately drop down onto your hands and knees. This position prevents you from being knocked over and allows you to stay low and crawl to safety if necessary.

Cover: Use one arm to protect your head and neck, and if possible, take shelter under a sturdy table or desk. If no shelter is available, get down next to an interior wall away from windows. Stay on your knees and bend over to protect vital organs.

Hold On: Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if it shifts.