'We just prayed:' Family describes moments their home was rocked by Ridgecrest Earthquake

Sunday, July 7, 2019
'We just prayed:' Ridgecrest Earthquake rocks community
Residents in Ridgecrest were recovering from Thursday's quake, now they face more damage to their homes, businesses and their sense of safety.

RIDGECREST, Calif. (KFSN) -- "It was really scary," those words describe the feeling, but a video tells the story the moment a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake rocked the city of Ridgecrest Friday night.

"It got worse and things started falling," said Kristin Bearz. That is when she grabbed her 12-year-old son, Grant, and frantically hid under the coffee table in the middle of her living room.

"We just held on and it seemed like forever," she said.

The waiting left her with scars and scrapes on her knees, but the concern about her husband and son distracted her from the pain.

RELATED: Ridgecrest Earthquake: Tremors felt across several Valley counties

"We just prayed," she said.

George Bearz was also relying on faith while desperately searching for cover.

"It wasn't just running to run, it was like where to run to because everything was shaking," he said.

Now, the family who moved to Ridgecrest six years ago from Fresno is planning to move again in a matter of days. This time to Seattle.

RELATED: Ridgecrest earthquake damage: Burglaries, fires after Friday's earthquake but no major injuries

Action News reporter Cory James provides the latest details on the aftermath of a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Ridgecrest.

"We just got to go, who knows if it's going to be a bigger one," Kristin said.

A sudden change still worries Kristin because she is afraid to leave her loved ones behind.

"I am terrified," she said. "(For) my parents and I'm leaving my friends and I have no idea what's going to happen and I don't know."

RELATED: Gov. Newsom says Trump wants to help California after Ridgecrest earthquake

Ridgecrest was not the only community to get hit by the quake, the of Trona, located about 30 miles away from Ridgecrest, was also impacted.

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