Today marks nine years since a 6.0-magnitude earthquake rattled Napa, a significant seismic event that was felt across the entire Bay Area. The earthquake struck at 3:20 a.m. in 2014, originating just a few miles from American Canyon.
The quake prompted an immediate influx of calls to police, fire departments, and radio stations from concerned citizens.
It resulted in one fatality and at least 208 injuries. In Solano County alone, a minimum of 50 people were injured due to the quake.
The aftermath of the earthquake brought substantial damage to buildings and infrastructure, along with fires that erupted across Napa County. The total damage was estimated at more than $400 million, making it the largest earthquake to hit the Bay Area since the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989.
This anniversary serves as a sobering reminder of the power of natural disasters and the importance of community preparedness, infrastructure resilience, and effective emergency response. Earthquakes, while unpredictable, necessitate proactive measures to mitigate potential damage and human loss.