LA hit by magnitude 5.1 earthquake amid Hurricane Hilary warning

20 August 2023 , 22:06

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Earthquake map shows where the magnitude 5.1 earthquake and aftershocks hit California (Image: @USGS_ShakeAlert)

A magnitude 5.1 earthquake has shaken LA after it hit Ojai in Ventura County, California the United States Geological Survey has said.

It struck 4.34 miles southeast of Ojai at around 2.40pm local time, 10.15pm BST. Ojai is around 80 miles North West of California, however shaking was reported in Malibu, Porter Ranch, parts of Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach and other locations in Southern California.

As the earthquake was greater than a magnitude 5, alerts were sent to mobile phones via the emergency alert system.

The United States Geological Survey, which reports and records earthquakes, said there were at least four aftershocks of magnitude-3.0 or greater.

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The City of Calabasas has warned that there will be several small aftershocks today. City officials confirmed on Twitter that there have not been reports of any damage in the area.

Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass said that the city's fire department is now in Earthquake Operation mode. She said: "All 106 neighborhood fire stations will conduct a strategic survey."

City officials in Los Angeles have said there are currently no significant initial reports of structural damage or injuries following the earthquake and the four aftershocks which were recorded.

The earthquake hit as California prepares for Storm Hilary which has made landfall on the Baja peninsula in Mexico. It is expected to be the first time a tropical storm hits the Los Angeles area for the first time in decades.

For the first time ever, Southern California is under a tropical storm warning. Most of Los Angeles County is under a flash flood warning with rain expected into Sunday night.

Winds of up to 65mph and ten inches of rain are expected to hit California within hours. Deadly flash flooding has been reported in Mexico as the storm travels through the area.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell told CBS News during an interview on Sunday that residents will face a 'significant impact.'

"People really need to take this storm in California serious," she said.

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Laura Hill