Tim Quinn on July 29, 2008, at 11:53AM – #1

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 . . .

Don Garza on July 29, 2008, at 11:53AM – #2

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

geesh. still here

Di on July 29, 2008, at 12:00PM – #3

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.

Joe on July 29, 2008, at 12:14PM – #5

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

KTCAOP on July 29, 2008, at 12:16PM – #6

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=21462459894&id=1041540275&index=1

Jan on July 29, 2008, at 12:18PM – #7

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??

Noel Corona on July 29, 2008, at 12:18PM – #8

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

soleilnu on July 29, 2008, at 12:20PM – #9

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.

orlando on July 29, 2008, at 12:44PM – #10

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

huycaguy on July 29, 2008, at 12:44PM – #11

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

Moriah on July 29, 2008, at 12:49PM – #12

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.

Eric on July 29, 2008, at 01:13PM – #13

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.

Ginny on July 29, 2008, at 01:45PM – #14

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

Kim Cooper on July 29, 2008, at 02:01PM – #15

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?

EC4ME on July 29, 2008, at 02:17PM – #16

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

mapdesign on July 29, 2008, at 02:33PM – #17

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.

Bert Green on July 29, 2008, at 02:36PM – #18

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.

Bert Green on July 29, 2008, at 02:37PM – #19

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

Bartleight on July 29, 2008, at 02:40PM – #20

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.

Ginny-Marie Case on July 29, 2008, at 02:49PM – #21

I'm listening to CNN, and they just said the Alexandria Hotel was damaged...

Team SAFE-T on July 29, 2008, at 02:51PM – #22

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.

Brian on July 29, 2008, at 03:14PM – #23

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.

Juanito on July 29, 2008, at 04:04PM – #24

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).

Benjamin Pezzillo on July 29, 2008, at 05:19PM – #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...

Bert Green on July 29, 2008, at 05:35PM – #26

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.

William on July 29, 2008, at 11:28PM – #27

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

monk on July 30, 2008, at 06:28AM – #28

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.

alexandra on July 30, 2008, at 08:21PM – #29

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!

Nancy-Jean on July 31, 2008, at 12:42PM – #30

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.

Melanie on August 01, 2008, at 09:18PM – #31

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!