Ridgecrest News: After the 2019 Earthquakes, How to Get Alerts and Prepare for the Next One

RIDGECREST NEWS | KERN COUNTY | October 18, 2026. The 2019 earthquake sequence changed how many Ridgecrest and Indian Wells Valley residents think about emergencies. But knowing that the region can shake is only the beginning of preparedness. There are different tools for earthquake early warning, county emergency instructions and information about events that have already happened.

This article does not report a new earthquake or predict when another one will occur. It is a locally focused guide to official sources and practical preparation.

What the USGS actually documented in 2019

The U.S. Geological Survey’s review of the Ridgecrest sequence describes a magnitude 6.4 earthquake on July 4, 2019, followed by a magnitude 7.1 mainshock on July 5. The events damaged areas in and near Ridgecrest, China Lake and Trona. The USGS published detailed fault maps, field observations and research in its Ridgecrest geonarrative.

The key lesson is not that a specific new quake is scheduled. Earthquake scientists cannot provide an exact date and hour for a future major event. Residents can, however, reduce injury risks and arrange several independent ways to receive official information.

MyShake: seconds of warning are possible, not guaranteed

California’s Earthquake Warning California system uses seismic sensors and alert delivery to give some people a short warning after an earthquake starts but before strong shaking reaches them. The state describes the free MyShake app, Android Earthquake Alerts and Wireless Emergency Alerts as ways warning messages may reach eligible devices.

The timing depends on location and earthquake characteristics; the state cautions that some alerts arrive during or even after shaking. An earthquake early warning system is not a prediction system, and a warning may be unavailable for some events. Residents should practice what to do whether an alert sounds or not.

ReadyKern: a different kind of alert

Kern County Fire Department operates ReadyKern, an emergency notification program for countywide and location-specific safety messages. The county explains how residents and businesses can enroll and keep contact information current. This system is useful for official emergency instructions, including situations involving evacuation, weather, fire and other hazards; it is not a substitute for the earthquake sensor-based early-warning network.

Because a phone may be damaged, out of power, out of coverage or disconnected from the internet, households should also make plans that do not rely on a single app or message.

Five realistic preparations for Ridgecrest households

Practice Drop, Cover and Hold On: Cal OES recommends getting low, sheltering your head and neck from falling objects, and remaining protected during shaking. Do not run outside during strong shaking.
Secure what can fall: check tall shelves, furniture, water heaters and heavy items near beds or entrances; follow applicable safety instructions for securing them.
Set up alerts: review Earthquake Warning California and ReadyKern separately, including notification permissions and contact details.
Plan without cell service: store accessible supplies, important documents, medication information, a meeting plan and out-of-area emergency contacts.
Check roads after an event: damaged bridges, fallen power lines or emergency operations may alter travel. Use Caltrans QuickMap for state highway reports and follow instructions from authorities on scene.

Where to get verified information

For earthquake science and historical data, use the USGS. For guidance on early warnings and safe protective actions, use Cal OES’s earthquake portal. For Kern County emergency notifications, go to ReadyKern. For immediate threats to life, call 911 rather than waiting for an article or general-purpose website update.

Ridgecrest News coverage: explore our separate report on local groundwater legislation and official records. Have a correction, first-hand account or source document? Contact the editorial desk.

Sources: USGS Ridgecrest research; Earthquake Warning California / Cal OES; Kern County Fire Department ReadyKern; Caltrans. Checked October 18, 2026. This service article contains no forecast of a new earthquake and no claim that any listed service provides guaranteed advance notice.

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