Going for a Shake?

By Eric Richardson
Published: Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at 11:46AM

Ed and I were on the phone just now when that little 5.8 5.4 just hit. He felt it in the Arts District several seconds before I did in the Historic Core. That makes sense: the quake’s epicenter in Chino Hills is east of Downtown.

So, how was the ride, Downtown? Anything exciting where you felt it?


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Comments

1
Tim Quinn writes:

Wow, that felt like a serious bump. Must have been close because I have been through more than a few now, and I thought that was a pretty big one. The cats went nuts …

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 11:53 AM
2
Don Garza writes:

checking in , i could feel this building keeping itself together. strange feeling during an earthquake.

geesh. still here

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 11:53 AM
3
Di writes:

I’m in Playa Del Rey (near Marina Del Rey), and I could feel it for several seconds and my curtains were swinging. Nothing fell, but I could tell it was pretty serious. Also, my cell phone won’t work, which seems to be a widespread problem.

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 12:00 PM
4
Eric Richardson writes:

Di: Most likely, cell phone issues are the result of everyone looking to use their phones at once.

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 12:02 PM
5
Joe writes:

That was the biggest one I have felt in that last 10 years. WOW!!

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 12:14 PM
7
Jan writes:

We were shaking it up over here in Silver Lake.. my first earthquake in LA! Didn’t know what to do.. are you supposed to run outside or under a table??

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 12:18 PM
8
Noel Corona writes:

I’m in Downey and it felt really strong here. Actually felt more like a 6 than 5 point what ever it was.

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 12:18 PM
9
soleilnu writes:

Rocked me here in Huntington Beach. Home office is on the upper floor of a complex built in 1973, so it swayed and shuddered pretty good.

Just moved to SoCal 6 weeks ago, so stuff is still in boxes … some of the lighter ones toppled.

The cats were not pleased.

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 12:20 PM
10
orlando writes:

building holding up well…little panic among our guests…neigborhoods at Weingart Center still evacuated with police and fire crews checking out the place…

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 12:44 PM
11
huycaguy writes:

I am Rancho Cucamonga and felt like getting an earthquake like the one in China! pretty scary!

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 12:44 PM
12
Moriah writes:

In Huntington Beach we experienced some shaking and rolling. My dog was slinking around very nervous about 15 minutes before the quake and was hiding under the dining room table. We have a minor leak in our water heater. The cupboards doors were opened, but nothing fell out.

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 12:49 PM
13
Eric writes:

My fourth grade morning summer school class here in Temple City was drawing to a close when it started shaking. Pretty cool. Most of the kids liked it. One was scared. I just told them to stay in their seats and ride it out. It was almost enough to have them go outside, but not quite.

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 01:13 PM
14
Ginny writes:

Felt it here in Atwater Village. The bobbleheads are all safe, no water spilled, and most importantly - no contractions.

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 01:45 PM
15
Kim Cooper writes:

In Lincoln Heights, in an old wooden house, it was a series of sharp shocks, as strong a quake as I have felt in years. But happily nothing broke, and the cats aren’t even phased. But gee, have you all noticed the weird sky the past couple days? Isn’t that what they call Earthquake Weather?

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 02:01 PM
16
EC4ME writes:

6th and hope we had a good rolling motion going up on the the 10th floor.

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 02:17 PM
17
mapdesign writes:

You shoulda’ felt it from the 19th floor of a building built in 1973. Can you say “sway?” Also looking over to the Roosevelt where they’ve just completed the new pool on the roof–interesting to see the water still sloshing out of the pool a few minutes later.

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 02:33 PM
18
Bert Green writes:

At the Rosslyn Lofts, a big shock and then strong shaking for 10-15 seconds. It was loud, too. When I moved into the building the owner told me that although it was built in 1914, it is one of the safest kinds of buildings to be in in an earthquake, being made of a riveted steel frame. I could actually feel the building wiggling, giving with the motion.

I thought it must have been about 5.5 by the duration. The first report I read was 5.8 but now they are saying 5.4.

No damage, luckily, but a lot of my neighbors were very scared.

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 02:36 PM
19
Bert Green writes:

Oh, and by the way, I was on the 12th floor. Not sure of it feels bigger higher up or on the ground.

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 02:37 PM
20
Bartleight writes:

Rocked and rolled here at work in a high-rise on Bunker Hill (4th/Hope). Only the 11th floor of a 26 story structure but still felt it. I checked in with neighbors at The Bartlett Building during lunchtime and all is ok. Nothing fell over and the building systems are working fine, according to our security staff.

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 02:40 PM
21

I’m listening to CNN, and they just said the Alexandria Hotel was damaged…

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 02:49 PM
22
Team SAFE-T writes:

For Californians, a 5.4 shakey shake gives us just enough of an excuse to walk through some evacuation drills and revisit emergency resources! Right?? The more prepared the entire community is in the event of a disaster, the more advantages we all have rebounding from future catastrophes. So, in that vein, every family needs to:

• Prepare: o A Family Disaster Supplies Kit that includes enough of the following items to last your family to 3-5 days: o Water: 1 gallon (4 liters) per person per day for drinking and washing o Food: packages, canned, dried food that will not spoil; serving utensils non-electric can opener o Medical needs: essential medications, a list of medicines and dosage amounts and first aid kit (gauzes, and antiseptic) and handbook. o Tools: Battery-powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries, and basic tools o Sanitation: Soap/hand cleaner, cleansers, plastic bags, bleach, toilet paper.
o A Grab and Go Pack that includes extras of medications, and copies of family and tax documents, and a short list of key or sentimental items to take.

• Plan: o Create an Evacuation Plan with two escapes routes from your dwelling and neighborhood (include contingencies (e.g. night vs. day, car vs. foot) o An Emergency Meeting Place, in case an evacuation takes place during the day and family members are dispersed. o Discuss a Family Contact Plan, with names and daytime phone numbers of family members, neighbors/relatives and out-of-state contacts and designate a “family point person” whom all family members call or text during emergencies.

• Practice: o Discuss each plan and drill regularly. Each and every member of the family should know what they are to do and to expect others to do in times of emergency. When shaking starts, DROP, seek COVER and HOLD ON to something secure. o Regularly check smoke detectors, tie-down heavy objects and clear and secure water heaters in your dwelling.

• Working together with the California Governor’s Offices of Emergency Services, Homeland Security and your local emergency responders, Team SAFE-T is committed to encouraging students, families and community members to bear responsibility for personal safety, and the safety of our communities.

• For more information on how to prepare and plan for emergencies in your home or community, and mitigate earthquake hazards and SECURE your SPACE please visit the California Office of Emergency Services Web site (www.oes.ca.gov) or the Team SAFE-T Web site (www.TeamSAFE-T.org) to access evacuation plans, checklists, and resources available in your area.

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 02:51 PM
23
Brian writes:

My first earthquake and I’m still not sure what to think about it. It just doesn’t seem right that the ground was moving underneath my feet :)

Cell phone and our Vonage line were jammed packed for at least an hour after the quake.

No damage above Ralphs that I know of - had some pictures on the wall shift but other than that things are okay.

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 03:14 PM
24
Juanito writes:

Last week, sitting in the waiting room at Union Station, I glanced up at the gigantic rafter directly overhead. Seeing that, I moved to a seat closer to the doorway, the one that exits out to the northside courtyard. Ever since the Whittier Quake, when I’d just walked around “The Needle”, the 54 story south corner of Wells Fargo tower, I often catch myself imagining what it would be like to experience a quake in or around a building that I happen be in, particularly the Bonaventure. (There’s nothing like a freeway interchange turned outside - in, with a hotel on top).

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 04:04 PM
25

We were surfing while standing still here in my offices 10 floors above the ground in the Financial District. It was the most powerful quake I have experienced.

It caused things to fall off our office walls and a piece of furniture that should have been fasten toppled too. That caused high nervousness. Our fridge full of canned soda opened up and dozens of cans spilled onto the floor. We had a computer fall off a desk and I saw at least one window that shattered.

SMS worked but with delay in the receipt of messages.

I got some strange looks crossing town on foot to check on home wearing my hardhat but really I think most were jealous. I spotted a new crack in early 20th century building along my trek.

Our loft was okay. No falling items just rattled nerves.

To my fellow CERT responders, I did break out the green hard hat but saw no cause for activation. Stay alert, stay prepared and stay calm – panic can cause more injurues than clear headed decision making.

Overall everyone was very mellow outside on the street and it was business as usual hours later…

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 05:19 PM
26
Bert Green writes:

I just spoke with the manager at the Alexandria . No damage. They did a precautionary shutdown of some systems, but everything checked out and there are no problems.

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 05:35 PM
27
William writes:

I was taking care of some business at the bathrooms at the 7th/Fig when it got me haha..I just wiped it all up and got the heck out of there..it felt pretty strong..strongest i’ve felt in a while

# on Jul.29.2008 AT 11:28 PM
28
monk writes:

I was on a field trip with some kids at Pershing Square. Some started flipping out a but.. but for the most part everyone just remained calm.

# on Jul.30.2008 AT 06:28 AM
29
alexandra writes:

i live in PE lofts, and this was the first sizable EQ since i’ve lived there…however, i was in mid-wilshire, on my acupuncturist’s treatment table, stuck with a dozen needles…i’ve never felt so chill in a quake!

# on Jul.30.2008 AT 08:21 PM
30
Nancy-Jean writes:

I had to keep myself under control so I wouldn’t upset The Baron who was running around, growling and barking at our home at 4th & Main (7th floor) while it shook very violently. Jane, my 21-year old kitty, slept through it! My fish, BeeBee, rode the tsunami like pro-surfer Kelly Slater. However, after I realized all was well, I fell to pieces. That was a bad one in my opinion.

# on Jul.31.2008 AT 12:42 PM
31
Melanie writes:

I was in the KPMG Tower and we were definitely moving! I was laughing as the office “tough guy” practically ran to the boss’ office, climbed into his lap and called him daddy!

I texted everyone rather than calling because it seemed to go through better. All was good, nothing here came down. Daddy shook up, cats hid and baby was having the time of his life!

# on Aug.01.2008 AT 09:18 PM

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