5.8 Quake Rocks SoCal

A strong earthquake centered east of Los Angeles occurred today just before noon Pacific time, but early reports indicate only light damage.

The jolt was felt from Los Angeles to San Diego, and slightly in Las Vegas. Preliminary information from the U.S. Geological Survey estimated the quake at magnitude 5.8, centered 29 miles east-southeast of downtown Los Angeles near Chino Hills in San Bernardino County. Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said there were no immediate reports of damage or injury in Los Angeles. San Bernardino County fire dispatch also had no immediate reports of damage. The quake struck at 11:42 a.m. PDT. Buildings swayed in downtown Los Angeles for several seconds. Workers quickly evacuated some office buildings. "It was dramatic. The whole building moved and it lasted for a while," said Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore, who was in the sheriff's suburban Monterey Park headquarters east of Los Angeles.

Since some office towers are being evacuated as a precaution, I imagine a lot of you Left Coasties will have the rest of the day off. It's a California snow day!

UPDATE: Follow-up reports have downgraded the quake to 5.4