5.6 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Northern California Near Ukiah; Injuries and Damage Reported in Mendocino County
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5.6 Magnitude Earthquake California June 2026: Ukiah & Willits – Damage, Injuries & Updates
Mendocino County, California — June 25, 2026
A magnitude 5.6 earthquake rattled Northern California on Wednesday morning, June 24, 2026, centered in a rural area of Mendocino County north of Ukiah. The quake, which was initially reported with a higher preliminary magnitude before being downgraded, caused minor to moderate damage, some injuries, and widespread power and water outages.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at 8:10:40 a.m. PDT (15:10:40 UTC). The epicenter was located at 39.362°N 123.229°W, approximately 11 km (7 miles) north of Redwood Valley and near Willits, in a relatively sparsely populated area east of Highway 101 and adjacent to the Mendocino National Forest. The depth was shallow at about 8–9 km (5–5.5 miles).
The event is believed to have occurred on or near the Maacama Fault, part of the broader San Andreas Fault system.
Shaking and Felt Reports
Shaking reached up to Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) VII (Very Strong) near the epicenter, with USGS ShakeMap confirming this level. It was widely felt across Northern California:
Moderate shaking in the Ukiah area.
Light shaking reported in Fort Bragg, Lakeport, Clearlake, and Cloverdale.
Felt as far north as Eureka and as far south as the San Francisco Bay Area (including Sonoma County and Walnut Creek), with some reports extending to Sacramento.
Dozens of “Did You Feel It?” reports described strong jolts, with items falling from shelves and furniture shifting. ShakeAlert earthquake early warning notifications were sent to phones across the region.
Damage, Injuries, and Impacts
Injuries: Some injuries were reported in Mendocino County, though no fatalities or serious injuries have been confirmed. Exact numbers are still being compiled.
Damage: Widespread but mostly minor to moderate. Grocery store shelves were emptied (e.g., at Redwood Valley Market, where bottles, cans, and jars spilled across aisles, causing significant cleanup and reported financial losses for one business). Other reports included cracked structures, fallen pictures and vases, and minor building damage.
Outages: Power and water services were knocked out for thousands of residents.
Infrastructure: No major damage reported to hospitals, public facilities, or critical infrastructure in Ukiah or Willits. Damage assessments are ongoing.
At least a dozen aftershocks have been recorded, most below magnitude 2.5, with one notable 2.5 aftershock occurring shortly after the main event. The USGS estimates a low probability of larger aftershocks in the coming week.
USGS PAGER alert was issued at the YELLOW level, indicating that some damage is possible but significant impacts are unlikely in this rural setting. Approximately 80,000 people experienced moderate to very strong shaking, while up to 10 million felt weaker tremors.
Response and Latest Updates
Mendocino County officials, including the Executive Office and State Sen. Mike McGuire, confirmed injuries but no deaths. Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has been briefed and is coordinating with local emergency management. Crews continue damage assessments, with early indications showing limited major structural issues.
No tsunami threat was issued, as the quake was inland. Utilities are working to restore power and water. Residents are advised to remain prepared for aftershocks and to check on neighbors, especially in areas with outages.This was one of the stronger earthquakes to affect the region in recent years and serves as a reminder of California’s seismic activity along active faults.
5.6 Magnitude Earthquake California June 2026: Ukiah & Willits – Damage, Injuries & Updates
Breaking: 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck near Ukiah in Mendocino County, Northern California on June 24, 2026. Get the latest on shaking felt across the Bay Area, injuries, store damage, power outages, aftershocks, and official updates from USGS.
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