The cable news channels are covering the aftermath of a 5.8 earthquake (now downgraded to 5.4) centered 29 miles east-southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The quake struck 11:42amPT. MSNBC’s Dan Abrams phoned in from West Hollywood while NBC’s Chris Jansing reported from the Burbank bureau. “There was definitely a shift that went back and forth that lasted for a number of seconds.” Jansing said it was her first quake since being relocated to LA earlier this year. “My first thought was to get in front of a camera.” Brian Williams anchored a special report at 3pmET, from London. He mentioned being on a Nightly News conference call with Los Angeles producers when the quake struck. ABC’s Charles Gibson also anchored an optional special report for stations.
FNC’s Jonathan Hunt reported form the Los Angeles bureau. Hunt later voiced over live images of a Fox News crew driving down an LA freeway on their way to Chino Hills which is about two miles from the epicenter. FNC also had a camera shot of LAX, showing normal airline traffic. The network also showed KABC chopper shots showing evacuated schools with students on ballfields and in parking lots.
CNN and MSNBC reported the earthquake at 2:45pmET. Fox News reported it at 2:47pmET. CNN’s Ed Lavandera reported feeling the quake while at Disneyland. The quake was felt as far south as San Diego and as far east as Las Vegas.