Community Corner

Rare Quake Rattles East Coast; Tremors Felt in RI

Did you feel anything? Share your experience in the comment stream below.

People across the eastern seaboard felt the ground sway under their feet today after a 5.9 magnitude earthquake in Virginia.

The tremors reached as far north as Rhode Island, and as nearby as the Knightsville area in Cranston. Mayor Joseph Polisena said he didn't feel anything and his office hasn't received any reports of shaking in town. He noted his focus is more on Hurricane Irene and her uncertain forecast track.

Did anyone else in Johnston feel the shaking? We want to know where. Share your experience in the comments section below. Be sure to include your location and we'll add it to a map of the area.

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The earthquake was first reported as a 5.8 magnitude quake. Reuters reported soon after the earthquake was a 6.0, but according to the United States Geological Society, the quake registered 5.9 with an epicenter 4 miles southwest of Mineral, Va. and 83 miles from Washington D.C.

The tremors caused many people to spill out of tall buildings in cities across the region, including New York City, Boston and Providence. The Rhode Island State House cleared out briefly, according to the Providence Journal.

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

Phone lines and cellular networks are slammed and many calls aren't going through as people try to reach loved ones.

There are no reports of major damage far from the epicenter at this time. The quake officially occured at 1:51 p.m. eastern time.


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