Assessments are ongoing after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck offshore of Humboldt County on December 5, 2024. The National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska, issued a tsunami warning for much of the northwestern California coast shortly after the earthquake. Once it was determined that no residual waves were likely, the warning was canceled. Currently, there is no tsunami threat to Humboldt County.
No injuries related to the earthquake have been reported at this time. Damage assessments are being conducted throughout Humboldt County, with no major damages reported so far.
Residents and businesses affected by the earthquake are encouraged to report damages to the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services (OES) by completing the 2024 December Earthquake form. This form assists in assessing community damage levels but does not provide financial or individual assistance.
Residents should remain vigilant and prepared for aftershocks. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there is less than a 1% chance of another 7.0 magnitude earthquake occurring soon; however, there is a 53% chance of an earthquake in the 5.0 magnitude range and a 7% likelihood of a 6.0 magnitude within the next week.
For guidance on what to do before, during, and after an earthquake, residents can visit ready.gov/earthquakes.
For road conditions updates, residents can check quickmap.dot.ca.gov for Caltrans updates and humboldtgov.org/roads for county road conditions.
To stay informed about Humboldt County’s earthquake response efforts, visit humboldtsheriff.org/emergency or follow @HumCoOES on Facebook and X or call 707-441-5000.
Humboldt County residents are also encouraged to sign up for Humboldt Alert to receive local emergency notifications regarding evacuations and emergency sheltering during disasters by visiting humboldtgov.org/alert.
