Public Safety

Brawley Earthquake Swarm Felt as Far Away as Santee

By Santee Pulse Staff · Published May 10, 2026 · 3 min read

Source: Patch


A swarm of earthquakes near Brawley in Imperial County was felt as far away as Santee over the weekend, according to Patch and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Patch reported that the swarm peaked shortly after midnight Sunday with a 4.7-magnitude quake about 2 miles west-southwest of Brawley and about 9 miles deep. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded 353 earthquakes in the immediate Brawley area in the past day as of just before 10 a.m. Sunday.

The 4.7 quake was reported felt in San Diego, Vista and Santee. Patch cited USGS reporting that Sunday’s event caused no-to-light damage from shaking and that about 180,000 people experienced light to strong shaking.

The Southern California Seismic Network reported 138 aftershocks as of 6:47 a.m., ranging from magnitude 1.1 to 3.3. More aftershocks are expected in the coming days, and officials said there is a small chance of a larger quake.

For Santee residents, the swarm is a reminder to keep basic earthquake supplies ready and to review family communication plans. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said Sunday morning that it was coordinating with local partners and continuing to assess developments.

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