Largest Southland earthquake since 1999 hits Ridgecrest area
LOS ANGELES (FOX11) - The largest earthquake in Southern California since 1999 struck Friday night as a 7.1 magnitude near Ridgecrest.
Luckily no deaths or serious damage has been reported in Los Angeles.
The earthquake struck at 8:16 p.m. nearly 9 miles southwest of Searles Valley, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
"The 6.4 magnitude was a foreshock,'' seismologist Lucy Jones tweeted , referring to what occurred on Thursday. "This was a M7.1 on the same fault as has been producing the Searles Valley sequence. This is part of the same sequence.''
Many aftershocks followed the major quake.
Related: Several power outages reported following major 7.1 quake in SoCal
7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes Ridgecrest area, according to USGS
There is a "high probability'' of a magnitude 5 or greater aftershock in the next week, Jones said. There is a 50% chance of a magnitude 6 or greater quake and about a 10% chance of a magnitude 7 or greater temblor in the next week, according to Jones.
Ridgecrest Police Chef Jed Mclaughlin says there is no water contamination in Ridgecrest stemming from the 7.1 quake and thee hospital is sheltered in place and minor injuries such as cuts and bruises were reported following tonight's temblor.
Ridgecrest's mayor says many residents are choosing to spend time with neighbors outdoors in the sidewalks because they're afraid to stay inside their homes.
The earthquake was felt as far away as Las Vegas, forcing stoppage of an NBA Summer League game and at Dodger Stadium, where the Los Angeles Dodgers were facing the San Diego Padres.
It was the largest in Southern California since a 7.1 quake in 1999 hit the Hector Mines area of the Mojave Desert.
Cracked buildings and injuries were reported in Kern and San Bernardino counties. A Los Angeles Urban Search and Rescue Task Force team is being sent to Kern County to help with the damage closer to the epicenter, Mayor Eric Garcetti said.
According to the Kern County Fire Department a total of 1,800 Pacific Gas and Electric customers are without power.
Sate Route 178 through the Kern River Canyon is closed due to a rockslide, drivers are advised to avoid the area.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom released a statement Friday evening saying he requested a "Presidential Emergency Declaration for Direct Federal Assistance to further support emergency response and recovery in impacted communities."
The state is coordinating mutual aid to local first responders, Newsom said.
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore said there have been no reports of damage on the Metro rail system. Metrolink officials reported delays on various lines due to crews inspecting tracks throughout the system, but there were no immediate reports of damage.
Meanwhile, officials at Los Angeles International Airport said there are no initial reports of damage or injuries and no reports of any flight delays.
CNS contributed to this report