‘It Felt Like a Roller Coaster’: Residents React to 5.2 Quake in Kern County

On Tuesday night, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake rattled Kern County, leaving residents startled and shaken. The quake struck at 9:09 p.m. on August 6, with its epicenter approximately 14 miles northeast of Lamont.

Local resident Maria Rodriguez described the experience: “It felt like a roller coaster. The ground swayed, and I heard things falling off shelves.” Another resident, Mark Thompson, added, “I’ve lived here my whole life, and this was one of the stronger ones I’ve felt.”

Earthquake update–Earthquake that struck at 9:10PM Tuesday was centered roughly between Grapevine and Taft in Kern County. The initial quake according to USGS website was 5.3 followed by aftershocks of 4.5, 3.0, 3.1,4.0 and more. The initial quake was felt in Ventura County.

— Rich and Alex (@kvtaspeednews) August 7, 2024

Emergency services responded promptly, and no major damage or injuries were reported. However, just six minutes after the quake, a hazmat situation unfolded at the Cuties produce plant in Bakersfield. Workers were evacuated due to a strong smell of ammonia, though authorities are still investigating whether the leak was related to the earthquake, reported ABC7.com.

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services reported that state and local first responders are monitoring the impacts of the recent earthquake. In Bakersfield, security footage captured the moment when the quake caused items to fall off a liquor store’s shelves.

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