All articles tagged with #northern california
A magnitude-5.6 earthquake struck near Redwood Valley in Mendocino County, injuring people, causing thousands to lose power, and prompting visible damage in communities from Willits to Upper Lake; officials are coordinating damage inspections and safety responses as aftershocks are expected, with Governor Newsom and emergency services closely monitoring the situation.
A rural portion of Northern California was struck by an initial earthquake, followed by three additional aftershocks under magnitude 2.7 within an hour. Residents in towns near the epicenter, including Kelseyville, reported shaking, but authorities said there has been no significant damage or injuries as officials assess impacts; the MyShake app reported hundreds of thousands of early-warning alerts during the event.
A California resident has been diagnosed with Rickettsia lanei, the fourth known global case and likely infected in Northern California. The bacterium, related to the one that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever, can cause severe illness and even death. State officials say California cases are extremely rare, and physicians are urged to consider starting doxycycline early for patients with tick exposure while awaiting tests.
A California resident diagnosed in April has become the fourth known global case of the tick-borne bacterium Rickettsia lanei, likely acquired in Northern California. The infection is extremely rare and can cause severe illness, including gangrene; doctors are advised to consider early doxycycline treatment if tick exposure is suspected.
Public health officials in Northern California confirmed the fourth human case of Rickettsia lanei, a rare tick-borne bacterium that can cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever–like illness; transmitted by ticks such as the Pacific Coast tick, the disease can range from fever and rash to severe organ damage, and prevention centers on avoiding tick bites through protective clothing, staying off tall grasses, showering after outdoor activities, and checking pets.
PG&E says power shutoffs are likely Sunday and Monday across Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Lake, Merced, Napa, San Benito, San Joaquin, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tehama and Yolo, with a smaller set possibly affected Tuesday in Colusa, Fresno, Glenn, San Benito and Tehama. The outages come as high winds and dry conditions raise fire risk, with a Red Flag Warning in effect for parts of Solano County, the Delta, the Sacramento Valley and the Central Valley. PG&E hasn’t disclosed an exact customer count, but outages in recent years have been less widespread.
A little-known respiratory virus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), is surging on the West Coast, with wastewater surveillance showing elevated activity in Northern California and a January peak; there is no vaccine or specific treatment, and the virus can cause cough, fever and breathing difficulties, posing higher risks to young children, older adults and the immunocompromised, while data also show rising activity in the Midwest and Northeast per CDC surveillance.
Wastewater data show high concentrations of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) across Northern California, signaling a regional uptick in a common respiratory virus that can cause cold- or flu-like illness and, in some people (especially young children, seniors, and the immunocompromised), more serious disease; there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment, so prevention centers on hygiene and staying home when sick, with symptoms typically lasting 2–5 days.
A magnitude 4.7 earthquake shook Northern California near Susanville, causing moderate shaking locally and light shaking as far as Sacramento and Klamath Falls, with no reports of damage. The quake occurred at a depth of 3.4 miles and was part of the region's typical seismic activity.
A federal judge in San Francisco has blocked ICE from making civil arrests at immigration courts in Northern California, citing concerns over the chilling effect on noncitizens' participation in removal proceedings and the potential for arbitrary detention. The ruling challenges recent policy reversals by the Biden administration and sets the stage for possible appellate and Supreme Court battles over courthouse arrests, with the decision currently limited to Northern California.
Heavy rain and flooding in Northern California, especially in Redding, have resulted in one death and widespread rescues, with flood watches issued for over 30 million people due to ongoing atmospheric rivers and the threat of flash floods and mudslides, particularly in wildfire-affected areas.
A mysterious fiery streak was seen across Northern California's sky, likely caused by the reentry of Starlink satellites, and not a natural meteor, sparking awe among witnesses from Sonoma County to Sacramento.
UC Davis Medical Center will become Northern California's first NSPS Level 2 hospital capable of treating highly contagious diseases like Ebola, thanks to $1.2 million funding from the California Department of Public Health, enhancing its capacity for infectious disease care and safety protocols.
Many voters in Northern California oppose Governor Newsom's redistricting plan, fearing it dilutes rural and conservative voices by splitting their districts and aligning them with more urban, Democratic-leaning areas, reflecting ongoing tensions between rural and urban interests in the state.
A 1954 magnitude 6.5 earthquake in Northern California was likely caused by the Cascadia Subduction Zone, which is usually quiet but may rupture in segments, as suggested by new research analyzing old seismic records, helping to better understand regional earthquake hazards.