No Reports of Gas Leaks, Damages or Injuries in Santa Clara County After the Seven Trees Earthquake

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – At 11:42 a.m. today, a 5.1 magnitude earthquake was felt throughout Santa Clara County. The epicenter of this earthquake was in Seven Trees, Calif., 17 miles from San José, and was followed by one recorded aftershock. The County of Santa Clara thanks cities and towns for completing the jurisdiction wide survey to assess the damages. No gas leaks, damages or injuries were reported.

United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake likely occurred in the Calaveras fault zone, a strike-slip fault that is part of the San Andreas fault system. Shaking was felt throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, with moderate shaking reported near the epicenter and weak shaking reported throughout the region.

This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake. On October 17, 1989, the 6.9 magnitude Loma Prieta earthquake struck at 5:04 p.m. and resulted in 63 deaths, 3,757 injuries, and 12,053 displaced individuals.

“Earthquakes like Loma Prieta and the one today, serve as a stark reminder to be earthquake ready by implementing preparedness measures that will help community members recover more quickly when the next big earthquake happens,” said Dana Reed, Director of the Office of Emergency Management.

Additional steps you can take to be earthquake ready:

1. Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items such as furniture and other heavy objects to avoid injuries and damage.
2. Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency. Where will you meet your family? How will you get to work? Do you know how to perform CPR or use a fire extinguisher?
3. Organize disaster supplies by packing Go Bags and an emergency supply kit for when you may be required to evacuate immediately.
4. Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property, and considering insurance.
5. Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On so that you know what to do when an earthquake strikes.
6. Improve safety after earthquakes by evacuating, helping the injured if possible, and being ready for aftershocks.
7. Reconnect and restore by checking in with family, friends, and neighbors, repairing damage, and rebuilding your community.

For more information on earthquake preparedness, visit www.PrepareSCC.org/Earthquake.

Earthquakes don’t wait for you. Be ready today.

About the Office of Emergency Management
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) engages the whole community in assessing needs and developing strategies to achieve stronger preparedness, prevention, response, and mitigation capabilities within the Santa Clara County Operational Area. We are committed to safeguarding lives, property, and the environment during the preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation phases of emergency management. OEM is directly responsible for supporting and providing coordinated response to the Operational Area and first responders including fire, law enforcement, and emergency medical services in emergencies and disasters.