CHINO HILLS, Calif. — A moderately powerful 5.8 earthquake shookthe Los Angeles area shortly before noon Pacific Time today, but sofar officials are reporting little damage.

Kinecta Federal Credit Union Media Officer Mike Nutt reportedthat the credit union's five-story headquarters building “shook androlled pretty strongly”, shaking a few ceiling tiles lose andforcing a staff evacuation, despite being located some 45 milesfrom Chino Hills. Employees returned inside after about 30 minutes.However, Nutt said he hasn't heard from two Kinecta branches thatwere the closest to the epicenter.

Wally Welter, president of Wescom Credit Union-owned ReverseMortgage Lending, Inc., said his office in Tustin, located only 15miles from the epicenter, was shaken badly enough to send employeesrunning for the exits. Welter said the quake was a long one, “morethan just a bump”, lasting for 15 to 20 seconds.