4.4-magnitude earthquake hits 2 miles south southwest of Devore

DEVORE, Calif. (KABC) -- A preliminary 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck 2 miles south, southwest of Devore Tuesday afternoon, according to Los Angeles County fire officials.

The quake, which was upgraded from a 4.3-magnitude to a 4.4, happened around 5:48 p.m. at a depth of 3.1 miles, Caltech officials said.

A total of 14 aftershocks occurred shortly after the initial jolt. Many of the aftershocks were a magnitude-3.8 or as small as a 0.7.

Eyewitness News viewers reported feeling the temblor in Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Sherman Oaks, Glendale, Fontana, San Bernardino, Norwalk, La Puente and Riverside, among other communities within Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

The Los Angeles Fire Department went into earthquake mode, and Los Angeles County residents were reminded to be vigilant.

The Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management asks residents to take the following steps to be prepared for an earthquake:

• Be aware of surroundings in public places and identify any safe spots.


• If an earthquake occurs, drop under a piece of furniture and take cover underneath it by protecting your neck and head with one of your arms. Hold on to a stable piece of the furniture to keep it from shifting or uncovering you until the shaking stops.


• Do not run out of buildings during an earthquake as most people are injured by falling debris while trying to exit.


• For those who are in a wheelchair when a quake occurs, lock the wheels and cover your head and neck area with a pillow or some type of cushion that can deflect debris.

For more information on emergency preparedness programs, visit the the County of Los Angeles Emergency Survival Guide (http://lacoa.org), Specific Needs Awareness Planning (https://snap.lacounty.gov), or Emergency Survival Program (http://www.espfocus.org).