A 5.2 magnitude earthquake rattled the San Diego area on Monday afternoon, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake struck at 10:08 AM local time with its epicenter in Julian, a resort town located about an hour northeast of San Diego, in the Cuyamaca Mountains.
Perette Godwin, a spokesperson for San Diego, reported no injuries or structural damage just two hours post-quake. The San Diego Sheriff’s Office echoed these sentiments, stating they had received no major damage reports, although they labeled the situation as “developing”.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office shared an update on X, indicating he had been briefed about the event. Following the quake, smaller aftershocks were detected. The National Weather Service confirmed that a tsunami was not anticipated.
Just before the tremor, emergency alerts from the USGS prompted residents to seek shelter, urging them, "Drop, cover, hold on. Protect yourself." Local resident Kevin Manaugh shared his experience, explaining he was eating breakfast when the alert buzzed, giving him just enough time to find safety under a door frame.
"This is probably the worst quake that I’ve ever felt,” Manaugh noted, describing the sudden shaking. He indicated his house remained unscathed, yet felt compelled to prepare for future potential quakes, especially in light of recent wildfires. “It’s probably a good idea to have an evacuation bag," he asserted.
