Before sunrise coffee had a rival in north Louisiana on Thursday, as a strong earthquake shook residents awake from Edgefield and Coushatta to Shreveport around 5:30 a.m. People reported doors and fixtures rattling, and several home security cameras captured the sudden jolt. By midmorning, local officials and seismologists were still sorting through preliminary measurements while fielding reports from across Red River Parish.
USGS Alert Comes Fast, Locals Confirm Even Faster
Within minutes, the U.S. Geological Survey's earthquake feed posted a preliminary alert on X, calling it a "Notable quake" and listing it as "M 4.9 - 10 km W of Edgefield, Louisiana," according to USGS Earthquakes. Seismic analysts routinely push out early numbers like that, then tweak the data as more instruments chime in.
Magnitude Dialed Back, Still Packs A Punch
Regional broadcasters and seismologists later cited a magnitude closer to 4.4 with a shallow hypocenter about three miles beneath the surface, figures emergency managers were using during morning checks, according to KALB. Authorities said there were no immediate reports of major structural damage as crews made their first passes through the parish.
Quake Ripples Across The Ark-La-Tex
Shaking was reported across northwest Louisiana and into parts of the Ark-La-Tex, with residents in Coushatta, Natchitoches, Shreveport and Bossier City describing clear, noticeable tremors. In Coushatta, a doorbell camera clip shared with local outlets shows household items swaying and the frame briefly rocking. Local coverage pulled together dozens of felt reports and urged residents to check on neighbors and utilities after the tremor, according to WAFB.
How It Stacks Up Against Louisiana's Biggest Shakers
Some broadcasters described Thursday's event as one of the largest instrument-recorded earthquakes in Louisiana in recent decades, while noting that an offshore magnitude 5.3 near Grand Isle in February 2006 still holds the edge as the larger recorded shock. That historical comparison lines up with seismic catalogs, per data compiled on Earthquake Track.
What Officials Want You To Do Next
Anyone who felt the shaking can submit a report through the U.S. Geological Survey's "Did You Feel It?" tool to help scientists map intensity, according to USGS. For immediate safety, officials point residents to standard guidance like "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" and advise checking homes for hazards. Federal preparedness tips and checklists are available at Ready.gov.
