The 1992 Cape Mendocino earthquakes caused widespread damage in Humboldt County , including Scotia , when three major earthquakes in less than a 24-hour span . The first was a magnitude 7.2 quake at 11:06 a.m. on April 25 , causing mill damage that took months to repair . The second quake at 12:41 a.m. on April 26 , caused the most damage . A fire started in the Hoby 's Market shopping center exploded , with firefighters trying to extinguish the fire the rest of the night , but the entire shopping center was destroyed . The earthquake also caused extensive damage to the North Court area of Scotia , with numerous homes damaged and gas leakages from a damaged gas line . Pacific Gas & Electric responded to repair the gas line in North Court while all the residents were gathered on a grassy hill for the entire night . The third quake at 4:26 a.m. on April 26 , measuring 6.7 , compounded damage from the previous two quakes . Scotia was temporarily without water and electricity , and PALCO rebuilt the shopping center that had been destroyed
1992 Cape Mendocino earthquakes
1992 Cape Mendocino earthquakes
Scotia, California