California earthquakes: Celebrities react after 7.1 magnitude quake hits Ridgecrest area

Quake is the biggest to hit the area in two decades

Celebrities in LA have been reacting to the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that hit southern California on Friday (5 June) night.

Busy Philips, Minnie Driver, Gabrielle Union, Kumaul Nanijani and Henry Winkler were among the stars to comment on the biggest earthquake to hit the US state in 20 years, which hit at 8.19pm local time around 11 miles from Ridgecrest.

It was the second to strike the area in two days, after a 6.4 magnitude quake hit the same region on Thursday. It rattled parts of LA and caused fire and building damage near its rural epicentre.

Offices in downtown Los Angeles shook for around 30 seconds. Reports suggest the second quake could be felt as far away as Las Vegas in the neighbouring state of Nevada, and over the border in Mexico.

See the latest reactions from celebrities who live in the area, below:

“Since I had a kid I've kept running shoes and water next to my bed and also in my car,” Busy Philipps tweeted.

“The running shoes had never occurred to me before, I guess? I think it's a good thing to do, is what I'm saying, even if you don't have a kid. Also. I bought those earthquake kits from Amazon.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom offered his “heartfelt support” to those affected and requested a Presidential Emergency Declaration and federal aid to help.

During a press conference, seismologist Dr Lucy Jones pointed out that there is a one in 20 chance that the latest earthquake could be followed by something larger.