TRONA, Calif. - Residents living near the epicenter of two earthquakes that hit Southern California last week are still living in fear. In Trona, the Byrd family told CNN they slept outside in the desert rather than inside for a few nights. "We thought it was safer that way because they said another one was coming," Kay Byrd told CNN. Brooke Thompson, Byrd's granddaughter, told CNN she had to escape through the window of her home in Trona. In Ridgecrest, the largest town near the epicenter, residents had the quakes to worry about, but the most visible damage came from the fires that took place after.

In the first 100 hours since a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck near Ridgecrest, a community 150 miles north of Los Angeles, on Thursday, there have been 5,400 mostly small earthquakes. The US Geological Survey on Monday released an animation depicting the series of earthquakes, spanning from early Thursday morning until noon Monday. The animation shows Thursday's 6.4 earthquake to the south, followed by Friday's 7.1 quake to the northwest. Friday's earthquake was 11 times stronger than Thursday's 6.4 magnitude earthquake. The animation shows a surge of aftershocks continuing northwest.

He vowed that a state-wide early alert program will be coming out "shortly." What's an early warning system? The state has been working to test the Shake Alert System, which is run by the United States Geological Survey and other state and university partners. An early warning system would detect significant earthquakes and alert as many residents as possible before any shaking begins. The state's alert system will be able to calculate the intensity of the quake and alert residents by first detecting its energy through the earthquake's first wave of energy.

"Everyone is wondering, 'Is this getting close to the Big One?'" The Big One is comingAccording to geologists, a major earthquake along the San Andreas Fault is likely "overdue." The southern San Andreas Fault has typically seen large earthquakes every 150 years, according to the US Geological Survey. Over the last two decades, Jones said Thursday, Southern California has experienced "an extremely quiet time" when it comes to seismic activity. "It's the risk you have to accept by living here in Southern California," he said.

CNN image(CNN) - Jolted by two major earthquakes and spontaneous fires, Southern California residents are nervously combing through the damage as thousands of aftershocks rattle the region. Here is the latest on the two earthquakes:The injuriesRidgecrest, the desert town of 28,000, bore the brunt of both quakes' wrath. Officials responded to reports of injuries and fires in Kern County, where the town is located. Kern County Fire Chief David Witt said he wasn't aware of any fatalities. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Kern County on Thursday and for San Bernardino late Friday.

It was 11 times stronger than the previous quake, according to the US Geological Survey. And it was 5 times biggerNot only was Friday's earthquake 11 times stronger than Thursday's temblor, it was also five times bigger. On the seismograph, Friday's quake is technically five times stronger than Thursday's quake. Friday's quake released 11 times the amount of energy that Thursday's quake did. They happened near each otherFriday's quake struck 11 miles northeast of Ridgecrest, according to the USGS.

CNN image(KERO) - Ridgecrest, CA -- The Red Cross has an emergency shelter open at the Kerr McGee that has a capacity of 500. Right now the Red Cross says there are 129 people there with supplies coming from Los Angeles and Kern Counties to help. That shelter plans on staying open as long as it's needed so if you know anyone in the Ridgecrest area that needs a place to go send them to 100 West California Avenue in Ridgecrest. Russ Huge with the Red Cross explains on the Red Cross helps the community and how people can help those affected by the earthquake. The-CNN-Wire & 2019 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company.

In a state especially prone to tremors, only 13% of homeowners have earthquake insurance, according to the California Department of Insurance. Here's what you need to know:Will my homeowner's or renter's insurance help? Having homeowner's or renter's insurance does not automatically mean you're covered for earthquakes -- you need a separate policy for that. In California, the company providing your homeowner's insurance must offer to sell you separate earthquake insurance. "There are limits on what earthquake insurance pays," the California Department of Insurance says.

People in Los Angeles are wondering why their phones didn't warn them before the ground started shaking on Thursday. An earthquake quake detection app released by the city of Los Angeles earlier this year did not alert its users when a 6.4 quake struck near Ridgecrest, a desert town about 150 miles away. While Thursday's quake was greater than magnitude 5 in Kern County, in Los Angeles the shaking was below 4.5, the city said. After receiving questions from residents about the lack of push alerts from the app, the city of Los Angeles said officials will be making adjustments. The app is a collaboration between Los Angeles, the US Geological Survey, the Annenberg Foundation and AT&T, CNN's parent company.

Disneyland temporarily shut down rides Thursday after a magnitude 6.4 earthquake shook Southern California. The temblor was centered near Ridgecrest, a community west of the Mojave Desert, but was felt as far away as Los Angeles and Las Vegas. "There was a mild earthquake so all the rides just shut down," an employee at the park told CNN. The employee couldn't confirm when rides would start running, but said "we are all slowly coming back up though." During the moments following the quake, one patron recorded a video of chandeliers rocking back and forth in Carnation Caf, a restaurant on the park's Main Street.

SAN FRANCISCO - A large earthquake has rattled a large swath of Southern California. The quake measured with a preliminary magnitude of 6.6 struck Wednesday morning near the town of Ridgecrest, California, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles. People from the desert to the Pacific coast in Southern California reported feeling it. We are working to learn more information. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.