Community Corner

Earthquake Hits Jersey ... Wha-?

Keep checking back for more updates.

The United States Geological Survey is reporting a 5.9-magnitude earthquake at 1:53 pm., 30 miles northwest of Richmond, Virginia.

Tremors were felt up and down the East Coast, including several areas in New Jersey.

Several customers inside the Barnes & Noble bookstore on Nixon Drive reacted to the rumbling with a mixture of confusion and mild alarm. The tremors lasted for several seconds.

Find out what's happening in Moorestownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

(Editor's note: Somehow, I didn't feel a thing and only realized something had happened when a customer looked up from their computer and said, "That was an earthquake" and I saw the "Pick-Up Order Here" sign swaying.)

More information to come.

Find out what's happening in Moorestownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

UPDATE: According to several reports, PATCO's shut down, there was structural damage to a building in Camden, a building collapsed in Washington, D.C., and the Capitol building and Pentagon were evacuated, as well as the police department headquarters in Trenton.

UPDATE: Center City offices in Philly evacuated. http://ow.ly/6aMUk

UPDATE: All Burlington County libraries have been closed.

From the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM): The NJOEM is monitoring the effects of the earthquake across the Garden State.  Colonel Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and director of the state OEM in the Regional Operations Intelligence Center is keeping updated on developments regarding the earthquake. The NJOEM has been in constant contact with the governor's office and other state department and local officials. 

At this time, there are very few reports of damage to any infrastructure in the state.  Roadways, bridges and tunnels all seem to be intact. Deptford Township in Gloucester County has reports of a gas leak on one street (Craig Drive) and there have been several residential evacuations at that location. Also, Gloucester County College reported a gas leak in one building that has since been evacuated.  There were no reports of any injuries.  

The seismic activity triggered an "Unusual Event" at Hope Creek and Salem Nuclear plants, but that is a normal response to such an event.  There have been no reports of any damage at either facility. 

Mobile phone service was unavailable for many users, but preliminary indications are this disruption was due to an extremely high call volume generated by users. Although aftershocks cannot be ruled out, the distance from the epicenter would indicate there need not be a great concern for New Jersey residents.

UPDATE: Authorities are asking people to refrain from calling 911 unless it's an emergency. If you have questions about the earthquake, check Patch.


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