Tri-State Residents Shake East Coast Quake Off, Get Back To Normal
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - New Yorkers are shaking it off.
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A day after the most powerful quake in decades rattled New Yorkers, frayed nerves are giving way to laughs and "where were you whens."
The 5.8 quake struck Mineral, Virginia and was felt up and down the East Coast just before 2 p.m. Tuesday, baffling area residents, who are unaccustomed to temblors. After all, the last time a quake of equal force struck the East Cost was in 1944. In 1886, a 7.3 quake hit South Carolina - the most powerful to strike the East Coast.
Photos: East Coast Quake
At 8:04 p.m. Tuesday night, the United States Geological Survey said a 4.2 aftershock hit northwest of Richmond, Va.
Fortunately, the damage to the Tri-State Area seems to have been fairly minor. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said there was no major damage, injuries or disruptions to utilities in the immediate aftermath of the the quake. Area bridges and other river crossings were given visual inspections.
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There were two reports of minor damage in Brooklyn, including a chimney collapse. No one was injured.
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New York was "lucky to avoid any major harm," Bloomberg said.
Operations at area airports were briefly snarled as control towers were evacuated and runway s were checked for damages. Normal operations were restored fairly quickly.
On CBSNewYork.com's Facebook page and WCBS Newsradio 880's facebook page, commenters recounted their experiences.
"I was at work, on the phone and the building felt like it was swaying back and forth," wrote Melissa Serbanica. " It was so scary. I've never experienced anything like it."
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Kate Interrante said the quake "reinforced why I do not like rollercoasters."
"Real New Yorkers brushed it off and moved on once they saw no one was hurt," wrote Joanne Brakatselos.
Did the quake leave you all shook up or is this a "get over it" moment? Got a quake story? Sound off in our comments section.
