Shaking Up Coachella: Locals and Festival-Goers React to Earthquake

At 10:08 AM today, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake caught both locals and Coachella Fest attendees off guard. While out at The River in Rancho Mirage checking in with the community, Thalia Hayden stumbled upon a mix of residents and festival-goers still buzzing from the unexpected jolt.

“It kind of felt like you were shaking a lot, but then it was kind of scary a little,” one Coachella-goer said.

Others shared that they were in their car at the time, initially thinking a friend was dancing in the backseat—until nearby signs started swaying. “I was like, oh shoot, it’s actually an earthquake. That was crazy.”

For some, it was their first time feeling a quake. “I’ve only lived here since 2021,” one person said. “It swayed. The floor, it swayed back and forth. Nothing was damaged in my home, though.”

Several people mentioned checking their earthquake apps right away to confirm what they felt and to reassure family members from afar.

Thankfully, no damage has been reported so far, but the event definitely added an unforgettable moment to an already high-energy Coachella weekend.

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