4.9 magnitude quake shakes Red River Parish early Thursday

ARMISTEAD, La. — A 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck near Coushatta around 5:30 a.m. Thursday, shaking homes and businesses across Red River Parish and startling residents awake.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported the epicenter west of Edgefield at a shallow depth of about three miles, making it one of the strongest quakes recorded in Louisiana.

In Armistead, workers at the community’s only gas station said the shaking was strong enough to feel like an impact to the building.

“When it happened this morning, the whole store shook. We were scared — we thought somebody had actually hit the building. All the alcohol bottles and bars were shaking. I started running, and then we were all just staring and laughing because we were so scared," Dakota Adams said.

No injuries or major damage have been reported, though residents across the region described the quake as unusually strong for the area. Officials say monitoring will continue, but no aftershocks have been confirmed.