Earthquake: Magnitude 5.4 Quake Hits Northern California Days After Deadly Temblor

A 5.4 magnitude earthquake struck Humboldt County on New Years Day, shaking an area hit by a deadly earthquake on Christmas Eve.

The earthquake's epicenter early Sunday morning was about nine miles from Rio Del and 26 miles from Eureka. Residents living in the area reported strong shaking that began at 10:35 a.m., according to preliminary information from the US Geological Survey.

The US Geological Survey expects more aftershocks in the coming days.

The quake came 12 days after a 6.4 quake that killed two people, injured dozens and caused widespread destruction in Rio Del, about 25 miles south of Eureka.

Dozens of buildings were marked red in the December 20 earthquake, leaving families homeless as Christmas approached. Residents were under a boil water order until last Wednesday.

Authorities are still assessing the damage caused by Sunday's earthquake. The historic Fernbridge Castaway, which carries U.S. Route 211 over the Eel River, is temporarily closed for seismic safety testing, according to Caltrans.

About 1,074 homes in Rio Del were without power as of 11:30 a.m. Sunday, according to a preliminary report from PG&E.

California and Nevada average five magnitude 5.0 and 6.0 earthquakes per year, based on a recent three-year sample of data.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 17.3 miles. Did you feel that earthquake? Consider reporting your feelings to the USGS.

Learn what to do before and during an earthquake near you by signing up for the Unwavering newsletter, which breaks down emergency preparedness into small steps over six weeks. Find earthquake kits, must-have apps, top tips from Lucy Jones and more at latimes.com/Unshaken.

An earlier version of this article was automatically generated by Quakebot, a computer program that tracks recent earthquakes detected by the USGS. A Times editor reviewed the article before publication. If you want to know more about the system, check out our list of frequently asked questions.

This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.

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