Philly felt the quake, did you? Share your story

We thought maybe it was just us who felt the ground shake around us. Consider us humbled. People around the city are talking.

The U.S. government says yes the 5.8 earthquake that hit Virginia at 1:51 p.m. could be felt in Philadelphia, Delaware, New Jersey and Pittsburgh, according to our sources.

The Associated Press reports people as far as New York and Rhode Island felt the tremor.

Send us your photos of the post-tremor and tell us where you were when you felt it.

This is a developing story, so stick with us. See below for updates.

The word on the ‘tweet’

Collingswood Mayor James Maley: “Just because there’s an earthquake doesn’t mean we have to enact an emergency plan.” He told Patch this earthquake did not trigger the town’s existing emergency plan.

Buck Buchanan: “I felt the tremor here, 9 miles north of Cooperstown, NY.

Woman walking down street, talking into phone: “I think the earth is just really fed up with us.”

Woman standing on traffic island outside City Hall, where 50 people all huddled, poking at their phones: “What happened. what happened, my phone doesn’t work.”  “It was an earthquake in Virginia, and we felt it all the way up here.”  “Well, I sure felt it in the dressing room at Macy’s.”

Guy standing on corner, pointing at 1234 Market about 10 minutes after: “I ain’t going back in there. That building was shakin’, man. Shakin’!”

Gordon Roth on Facebook: “Magnolia New Jersey wobbled couple inches for maybe 10 seconds. Office walls swayed, left the building hoping it wouldn’t collapse. Still feeling insecure and don’t trust the solid ground. Now thinking of major bridges, and nearby nuclear plants.”

Betsy Thomas Molter on Facebook: “Milford,NJ: It felt to me like a shaking of the floor joists. Like something that one might expect from a HUGE truck going down the road. There was no truck, but it was enough to get me up to look out the window. I’m wondering if there’s any fracking going on down there.”

Danny Bauder on Facebook: “Come on people! This is a joke. Remember the quake in Haiti? Japan? Bali? Those were real news stories.”

Joseph Shenk on Facebook: “At work, in Fort Washington, PA. I’ve never felt anything like that! I have not been truly scared like that in a lonnnnnngggg time… :(“

@bonniephilly on Twitter: “second floor of Sea Isle Beach House! Knew the shake was more than wind!”

News updates

4:50 p.m. N.J. Gov. Chris Christie responds: “The Governor’s Office is in constant communication regarding the status of the situation with State Police Superintendent Col. Rick Fuentes and the Office of Emergency Management team who are managing the event from the Regional Operations Intelligence Center. They are receiving regular updates from the US Geological Survey and are in real time contact with the Governor’s Office.”

4:45 p.m. President Barack Obama has been briefed on the earthquake by various federal officials, as Politico reports. “The President was told that there are no initial reports of major infrastructure damage, including at airports and nuclear facilities and that there were currently no requests for assistance.” 

4:40 p.m. Delays of up to 45 minutes continue on SEPTA Regional Rail, but service has been restored to the Broad Street Line.

4:15 p.m. ReadyNotifyPA reports only minor building damage in Philadelphia.  All major City of Philadelphia government buildings have been inspected and City employees have been allowed to return to work.  There are no reports of any damage to water or gas lines or roads or bridges.  Philadelphia International Airport has been reopened and has been made available to assist with New York area diversions, if necessary.

3:20 p.m. Cherry Hill Township public safety network is assessing the building infrastructure of the municipality. There are no reported significant issues, but there are several reported active investigations. Moving forward the CHFD and CHPD is asking anyone that smells gas or sees smoke to call 911 immediately. If anyone finds new damage to their residence to contact the police or fire deparment on their non emergency number at (856) 665-1200.

2:50 p.m. SEPTA reports the Broad Street Line is not operating south of Walnut-Locust. Service will be supplemented with stree-level transportation.

2:45 p.m. ReadyNotifyPA says there have been no reports of damage in Philadelphia, but people are encouraged not to call 9-1-1 unless there is a true emergency.

2:35 p.m. The Southeastern Pennsylvania chapter of the Red Cross has shared its earthquake safety tips, reminding people that an earthquake calls for folks to stay inside, not leave the building.

2:20 p.m. SEPTA regional rail: “All trains are operating with delays of up to 15 minutes due to an earthquake aftershock throughout the region.”

 

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