5.8 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Baja; Felt In Coachella Valley

PALM DESERT -An earthquake has shaken California’s border with Mexico, felt here in the Coachella Valley.

Preliminary information from the California Integrated Seismic Network says the 10:48 a.m. Wednesday quake was magnitude 5.9 and was centered about 100 miles east of San Diego, about 20 miles southeast of the Mexican city of Mexicali.

Locally, viewers from Coachella, Thermal, Indio, Palm Desert, and Palm Springs report feeling the swaying. Most say it felt like a slow wave rocking the ground.

A swarm ofaftershocks have hit the area, some measuring asstrongas 4.8 in magnitude. At least ten measuring at least 3.0 have hit.

Authorities say hospitals were briefly evacuated in the Mexican border city of Mexicali after the quake hit.

There are no reports of injuries or major property damage.

Rene Rosado, the city’s director of civil defense, says the mayor closed all city government offices after the quake struck Wednesday morning. Five hospitals were briefly emptied, 90,000 customers lost electricity for 14 minutes, and cell phone service failed for 20 minutes.

Leave a comment below, and tell us your experience with the earthquake.