Surveillance video shows earthquake centered near Banning

A magnitude 4.4 earthquake was felt over a wide area of Southern California Wednesday morning.

The quake was centered in the mountains 4 miles northwest of Banning, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

It was felt at 6:42 a.m., and centered at a depth of about 10 miles, according to the USGS.

Though only of moderate strength, the quake was felt over most of Southern California as far away as San Diego and Los Angeles.

According to the Earthquake Track website, 5,973 people reported feeling the quake within an hour after it hit.

There were no immediate reports of damage.

This quake was certainly not the big one, but we know it’s coming.

Experts say now is the time to update your earthquake emergency plan or make one if you haven’t already.

Wednesday morning’s tremor caught a lot of people off guard, some saying they were jolted awake.

“Pretty scary, it woke us up from a dead sleep,” said Banning resident Cesar Alverez.

“Today, I’m scared a lot, said Banning resident Lupeta Gonzalez.

Surveillance video at Green Thumb Produce in banning captures the moment of the quake. At 6:42 a.m. you can see computers shaking, desks rattling and the window waving in the back.

“It started really jolting, so I kinda jumped up and ran to make sure everyone was OK,” said Green Thumb Produce employee Jeff Young.

Another angle from inside the produce packing facility shows several workers as they duck under tables until the shaking stops, then evacuate.

The building was evaluated for damage, but none was found; not even small items fell off shelves.

“I was shocked, I really was,” said Young. “I’ve been through a lit of different earthquakes Big Bear, Landers, Northridge, but they are far away. This was the center, I thought it was going to be a 6.0, but I guess it wasn’t.”

The 4.4 jolted others in Banning awake.

“We didn’t know what it was at first, then we heard everything fall,” said Amanda Barrett.

“I woke up thinking someone was breaking into the house and my dogs come running into the bed scarring us even more,” said Alverez.

“I’m waiting for my alarm and I just hear (loud noises) and I look over to my son and I just jumped on top of him and we were just like (swaying). The whole bed was like (swaying), I didn’t know what do it,” said Banning resident Dominic Ramirez.

Emergency responders say now is the time to learn what to do when a quake strikes.

“First drop, cover and hold on. Once the shaking stops determine if it’s safe to come out of that protective area that you are in. If it is, then you need to get completely out of the structure,” said Palm Springs Emergency Service Coordinator Anjila Lebsock.

The next step is to check for gas and water leaks.

Now is a good time to update your earthquake kit or start one.

“You don’t have to spend a lot of money. If you have a hot water heater in your house, you can go get a food grade safe hose.It screws on just like a garden hose and you have 50 gallons of fresh water,” said Lebsock.

For a check list of what you should have in your kit click here.

Remember, you are not always at your home, so think about a kit for your car and at work.

For more resources click here.