GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - During the evening hours of Friday, April 5, residents in the north valley experienced heavy shaking after an earthquake struck near Belden.

The USGS reports that two quakes occurred almost back-to-back 6 kilometers northwest of Belden, which is located off Highway 70. The first was a 4.1 magnitude earthquake that struck at 6:34:25 PST and a second stronger 4.4 magnitude followed at 6:34:49 PST.   The effects were felt as far north as Redding and as far south as Sacramento (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/nc71133194/executive).

Local Mickey Mrakusic reports that she was enjoying her evening when the couch began to shake. Living on a road with heavy traffic, she first brushed it off as a passing truck, but soon realized that strong shaking was due to the earthquake. “It was shocking!” Mrakusic says. “Growing up in LA, I was used to earthquakes. Now that I have moved up here, I am not used to it anymore!”

In the event of an earthquake, the CDC says the best course of action is to “Drop. Cover. Hold on.”  Their website says to drop to your knees before the quake has the opportunity to knock you down, cover your head and neck, and where possible, crawl under a table or desk to cover your body. It is wise to be mindful of falling objects and stay away from unstable furniture such as bookcases or wall-mounted shelving.

The CDC recommends staying inside during a quake and if you find yourself in a vehicle, it is best to stay in stop the car, stay inside, and set the parking brake.

For more detail tips on earthquake safety, please visit www.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/during.html.