January 20, 2026 – Palm Desert, Calif – A West Bend, Wi, couple experienced a jolt of West Coast reality Monday night when a 4.9 magnitude earthquake rattled the Palm Desert area, sending phones buzzing and nerves racing.
Lori and Geoff Radloff, who spend part of the year in California, were inside their second-floor condo when the quake struck shortly before 6 p.m. local time.
“We felt it first and then there was an immediate alert,” Lori Radloff said. “Our phones went off right away with an earthquake warning.”
The alert warned of “strong shaking expected” and instructed residents to “drop, cover, and hold on.” According to the notification Radloff received, the quake was estimated at 5.6 magnitude and located about 23 miles away near Indio, California.
“I grabbed my phone because it was going off,” she said. “It said, ‘Earthquake alert. Strong shaking expected. Hold on.’”
Radloff said the sensation was unmistakable.
“I just felt it shake,” she said. “It sounded like the floor was shaking. At first it sounded like a truck going by.”
Moments later, it was clear this was no passing vehicle.
“The blinds started shaking, the floor was shaking, and I just knew it was an earthquake,” she said. “I stood in the doorway of the kitchen and just looked at Geoff. It was intense. Crazy.”
Nothing fell from shelves, though the movement was audible.
“Our wine glasses kind of tinkled, but nothing fell,” Radloff said. “The electric didn’t go off or anything like that, but it was definitely unnerving.”
Geoff Radloff felt the quake just as strongly.
“He said his whole chair was shaking and vibrating,” Lori said. “He jumped out of his chair faster than I’ve ever seen.”
While neither was injured and no damage was reported in their unit, Radloff said the experience was the strongest quake she has ever felt in the area.
“That’s the biggest one I’ve ever felt right here,” she said. “We’re not here full time, but in all the years we’ve been coming, this was the biggest.”
Radloff said aftershocks were expected, something locals often brace for after a quake.
“They usually are,” she said. “I’m kind of just waiting for the next one.”
The experience also reinforced earthquake preparedness lessons the couple has picked up while spending time in California.
“They always talk about ‘the big one,’” Radloff said. “They tell you to have water, non-perishable food, cash on hand, and even tennis shoes under your bed so you don’t cut your feet if glass breaks.”
As for choosing between Midwest winter cold and California earthquakes, Radloff didn’t hesitate.
“Sunny skies and an earthquake,” she said with a laugh. “Not going to lie. Earthquakes only last a little bit. I just can’t do that cold anymore.”
