Wow what a happening!
All I had planned for today
was a trip to the dentist.
Then as I stood at the front desk, chaos erupted around me. Devices blared a piercing alert, shattering the calm atmosphere. I quickly checked my phone, and an Emergency alert flashed across the screen, making me fear for a second, that it was an active shooter situation.
The alert blared, and moments later, the ground shook with an earthquake!
The hanging plants swung wildly, and I felt the intense quaking beneath my feet. This was different—awesome and powerful. I instinctively knew it was a significant quake somewhere close.
7.0 off the coast - Cape Mendocino near Ferndale, Eureka, Petrolia - same area.
Fake Photo - it's from a movie.
A few minutes later, a tsunami alert
As soon as I got home, I tuned into Pacifica's livestream. I watched anxiously, but as expected, the announcement came: it was officially canceled!
I flashed back to a time...
in 1964, when I was in the 4th or 5th grade, a massive 9.2 earthquake shook Anchorage, Alaska. There was a tsunami warning, creating a buzz of worry among neighborhood moms, while dads remained calm. I felt a mix of uncertainty and curiosity. My mom was panicking, but my dad reassured us everything would be alright as we headed to a high spot called Sweeny Ridge to wait it out. I recall sitting in the back of the truck, which turned into what seemed like a tailgate party. Up the coast from us, a tsunami hit Crescent City, Northern California, reaching 150 feet, flooding the town, claiming 12 lives, and causing $15 million in damage.
This was on my mind
Yesterday, a tragic incident unfolded in Butte County at a Christian school, where gunfire left a 5-year-old and a 6-year-old critically injured. That's why when I received the alert about the earthquake today, my heart sank as I feared it might be an active shooter scenario.
Elias is 5 years old - shot twice and has been transferred to a PICU - the bullet went through his lung, through his stomach and clipped a bit of his pancreas. No news on the 6 year old boy. The Sheriff says it was a planned shooting - so many Christian schools are aware.
We never know
In the unpredictable times we find ourselves living in, uncertainty looms over our daily lives. Yet, one thing remains clear: the importance of staying close to God. It is essential to nurture our faith and cultivate a deep connection with Him, for we must be prepared for His return whenever that moment arrives.
That's it for me today. I hope the ground you stood on today was solid!
Debby
So what was the deal with your phone warning? If it was fake, I would be so mad! Thanks about the school shooting update, I heard just a bit on the news, then nothing since! Did they catch the shooter? I don't know why they are not reporting more on this.
ReplyDeleteWe had a 7.0 earthquake and then a tsunami warning for the coast. That was real. The photo of the mega tsunami was fake!
DeleteThe shooter killed himself.
I thought of you when I heard about the earthquake. I am glad you are safe. The news says there has been quite a few in Northern California. The governor says they are working with the counties involved with the protocols for earthquake emergency. Of that has hit in LA, it would be way worse because of the number of buildings and populations. I have lived in So Ca all my life and have experienced a few 6's. It is really scarry because there is no warning. Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteAs you know, Californians are just weird but we do enjoy a good jolt now and then! Each of us trying to guesstimate the reading on the Richter Scale. The young really get rattled or those from out of the area. It’s always a reminder Who is really in charge!
DeleteWe had a 4 second warning!
What a day! Scary and I am glad you're okay.
ReplyDeleteSo sad about the shooting. Where my grand quads go to school they have locked doors so you have to be buzzed in and show ID on the camera first. Plus they have a police officer on the premises. It's sad that the times are so bad and you are right - the world wants us to be scared but God has not given us the spirit of fear. Praying for the two youngsters.....and their familes.
The shooter was on campus interviewing for a prospective enrollee. That’s why he was already on campus
DeleteOh, what an experience! No wonder this alert triggered unwelcomed memories.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding us that He is always with us in the storms of life. Praying for those young boys and their families now.
Little Elias is not doing so well.
Deleteso sorry that you felt that initial feeling of fear. I would have been the same way. Our son-in-law (who is about two hours South West of you, called to let us know he was good). So sad about the shooting and I just pray for these two children. We are living in some very UNEASY times right now. Hurricanes, floods, Earthquakes, mud slides, fires and Crazy shooters. I am thankful Debby, that you all were in the clear of this Earthquake......Take care...and put all your Trust in God..He is our protector.
ReplyDeleteI have already been in one big destructive earthquake. That was scary. Most don’t even bother me. We’re good here. We only have to watch out for volcanic eruptions!
DeleteYes Pray for little Elias - he’s struggling.
Oh my, what a day you had! Did you even get to have your Dental appointment, or was it cancelled? I've never been in an earthquake before, so it is hard for me to imagine how it must feel. I'm glad you are okay, and that the tsunami didn't happen, but still it is nerve-racking to have all that happening around you. I am very sorry about the school shooting, and at a Christian school! Oh this world is getting so very scary, but we have Jesus to take care of us no matter what. What do people do who don't know Him? We are always standing on the Solid Rock when we have Christ living in our hearts. praying for those children and the families of all the children in the school. That is so very sad. (((hugs))) just because.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I was just at the desk scheduling my next appointment. Frankly, I think Hurricanes are much worse than Earthquakes!
DeleteKeep the little boys in your prayers! Still touch and go.
When I heard about the quake, my first thought was for the family who lives in California. After determining it was not close to their homes I thought about you. Glad to hear everything was okay.
ReplyDeleteYeah all is well - just exciting. I even had 2 out of state family members give me a phone call. Lol
DeleteI haven't really had the tv on today so I missed this. Very scary, especially with the shooting yesterday and memories you have of past events.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful you're ok! So sad about those kids too. I hope they both recuperate. I'll never understand the reasoning for things like that.
The earthquake was exciting. Yesterday’s shooting was tragic and weighed heavily on mind. The 5 year old is really struggling to stay alive. It really bothers me.
DeletePraying for you and yours, and all affected by the earthquake and the shooting. As you say, we need to constantly stay close to God and trust Him.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thanks Victor.
DeleteOh, such a scary time for you, Debby, and for all living in the area! And those little innocents? My heart is breaking for them and their families. There is so much evil in the world; we need our Lord and Savior more than ever. May our God keep you close and safe in His loving arms.
ReplyDeleteAmen!
DeleteCertainly not what you would expect all in one day and while at the dentist office. no warnings like the ones we get for weeks before hurricanes hit. the world appears to be rocking and rolling and spinning on its axis... what Next? alien invasion? so sorry to hear there was another school shooting, and even worse it did not even hit the news this morning, that is as frightening as it happening.
ReplyDeleteWe did get about a 4 second warning which is enough time to stand in a doorway or take cover.
DeleteHi Debby, a sad post, but a good reminder... of who is in charge. I will be praying.
ReplyDeletePlease keep us updated on the little boys, our media is not good about sharing stories like this.
Carla
Okay I will keep you all updated.
DeleteWe don't get alerts like these here, well not that I know off, earthquakes are so destructive and scary as all get out
ReplyDeleteThey can be. Fortunately our earthquake building codes prevented a lot of costly damage in the towns closest to the epicenter. The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake damaged the foundation of the house -
DeleteHaving been born and raised in Southern California, I know the severity of earthquakes. I remember one where I literally felt the bed moving and it sounded like the house was going to crumble. Praying for those poor kiddos. Their families must be devastated!
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in the San Francisco area, I'm used to earthquakes. We don't have many up here in Far Northern California, so it was surprising that I could feel it. I've been in a few that curled my hair! The last one for me was 1989. It was those aftershocks that did me in.
DeleteHeard about the earthquake. Glad you are okay.
ReplyDeleteSo sad about the little boys.
We were fine; my husband didn't even feel it. I lived on the San Andreas Fault line - and while I knew it and was prepared I never fretted about it. 1989 was the biggest one I ever felt. That one collapsed the Bay Bridge and the freeway - terrible. We had some foundation damage on our house.
DeleteI heard about the earthquake and thought about you. How sad that someone has to shoot anyone and especially children. Janice
ReplyDelete