OT: Earthquake on East Coast

[barrysloate]

I was sitting at my computer when my desk chair began to shake back and forth. This was at around 1:50 PM in New York. I didn't know what it was - there is a major renovation going on a couple of doors down so I thought it was that. But I just heard we had a big earthquake on the east coast, measuring about 5.0. We virtually never get them here. It was a scary experience.

[barrysloate]

I heard it was about 5.8 in Washington, D.C. And come to think of it, my whole building was shaking for a few seconds. I was getting ready to run out in the street.

[vintagetoppsguy]

One last night in Colorado and now this one on the east coast. Kind of odd.

[barrysloate]

That's right, there was one in Colorado. I guess just a coincidence.

[MVSNYC]

Hi Barry...we felt it here in Manhattan, our whole building shook. i never felt anything like that before. hope everyone is ok.

[alanu]

Does this mean that not only is California is going to drop off into the ocean, but everything west of Manhattan is going too?

[36GoudeyMan]

Was really bad here in my office in downtown DC.. slow rumbling to start, pretty rough shaking, swaying, then settled down fast... very disconcerting, dizzying... lasted 45 seconds, very bad if it goes that long... US Geo Survey says it was a shallow 5.9 magnitude quake centered 90 miles SW of DC, so it traveled far, I heard up to Toronto/Boston, down to South Carolina...

[t206hound]

back in my office building in Rockville, MD. Can't imagine what a big earthquake feels like... second floor of my building was swaying...

[barrysloate]

Hi Michael- my first reaction was I thought I was having a dizzy spell, as my whole body felt shaky. You don't know what to make of it. I know Californians are used to it but it's rare in these parts.

[tcdyess]

Enfield, CT at work and the building shook for a couple seconds. I have never felt an earthquake before, it was pretty freaky..... This year we have had blizzards, tornadoes, earthquake, and maybe a hurricane this weekend. Enough already!!!!

Tim

[T206Collector]

Hi Michael- my first reaction was I thought I was having a dizzy spell, as my whole body felt shaky. You don't know what to make of it. I know Californians are used to it but it's rare in these parts.

+1 -- I was on the phone with a guy from Philly at the time of the quake, from my office high above the streets of Manhattan, and he reported the same shaking that I was feeling in New York. That was really bizarre.

[mayx2]

I live in SW Pa,south of Pittsburgh and was on the phone with my brother and told him my house was shaking,we hung up ,then he calls me back and said as soon as we hung up his building shook in Columbus,oh. Bizarre! Lou

[jb217676]

Really mild, but I felt it here in Toronto.

[sportsamerica]

Felt it here in Carlisle PA as well.. Sitting in my office, and my desk started pounding against the wall.. Thought someone hit the building at first...

[Abravefan11]

I was in downtown Richmond on the second floor of the Library of Virginia. It shook pretty good for what felt like a minute but I really don't know. People looked shocked and didn't seem to understand what was happening. We were evacuated with the rest of the downtown buildings and I'm still outside waiting to get back in.

[GasHouseGang]

Didn't feel anything here in California. What are you people talking about?:D

[Robextend]

Was at my desk at work when it felt like someone pulling and pushing my chair. So as I went back to smack someone in the face I realized no one was there! Crazy stuff!

[Big Ben]

I have friends in Virginia who claim that they can't use phones but their internet is ok. Hope everyone is ok!

[scooter729]

The span of this is really huge - I'm in Cambridge, MA, and they evacuated our building - good thing I work on the first floor, since I ran right out! Otherwise, I may have reacted like George Costanza when the kitchen fire broke out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueh_1PeJhaQ&feature=related

[e107collector]

Our office is in Dunmore, PA, just outside of Scranton, and the building was shaking for about 30 seconds. The one CPA was on the phone with a client in Philly, and they were experienceing the same thing, it was kind of weird.

Tony

[Leon]

I checked here......I walked outside in Dallas and turned into spontaneous combustion. You guys want to trade?

[Jason]

I was in downtown Richmond on the second floor of the Library of Virginia. It shook pretty good for what felt like a minute but I really don't know. People looked shocked and didn't seem to understand what was happening. We were evacuated with the rest of the downtown buildings and I'm still outside waiting to get back in.
Yes it was very strong here in Richmond.Glad all yall got out safe downtown.

[barrysloate]

I checked here......I walked outside in Dallas and turned into spontaneous combustion. You guys want to trade?

Nope....how are the army ants holding up in all your hot weather?

[Leon]

Nope....how are the army ants holding up in all your hot weather?

Since the ants are dying it means the fleas are increasing!!! I guess ants eat fleas so when you have a lot of ants you don't have fleas. My poor dogs, they can't win. Get rid of the ants and the fleas multiply. Go figure.

[Big Six]

Amazingly didn't feel anything here on the Connecticut coast...hope everyone is ok...

[old-baseball]

Sat in my office in Barberton, Ohio and watched the office door want to move 3" - 4" open an close. I've felt half a dozen others in my lifetime in the Ohio area but this was by far the strongest.

[jcarroll84]

Felt it here in Cincinnati, my office is on the 15th floor and we sure felt the building sway back and forth.

[kcohen]

Was on the street in old town Alexandria, VA, Felt like there was a huge truck coming down the road. Of course, here in the DC area (and probably NYC), many first think of a bomb blast.

My wife told me our dog freaked out a few seconds before it started. Amazing the senses that animals possess.

[E93]

5.8...... yawn. :)

[kkkkandp]

I definitely felt it here in Old Tappan, New Jersey. You could feel the building moving and it really freaks out your equilibrium.

Since I have a son who lives in California, I couldn't wait to tell him that I had just experienced my first earthquake.

His response: "Yes I know, my Facebook exploded with 20 people saying they felt it. A 5.9 300 miles away is for wimps. The one we had a couple years ago was 5.6 and right down the street."

What a buzz kill.

Then he follows up with: "At least you weren't in DC! Look at this devastation!"

[barrysloate]

That is total devastation Kevin...nobody could possibly survive that!:eek:

[kkkkandp]

Unfortunately (for me this time), that is one smart-ass apple that hasn't fallen far from the tree! :)

[oldjudge]

Stamford, Ct, the Rock of Gibralter of the East Coast, felt nothing.

[slidekellyslide]

As usual Nebraska stayed boring.

[yanksfan09]

felt in well out east on Long Island, NY....Now a hurricane may be coming.....I hope not

[richieb315]

felt in well out east on Long Island, NY....Now a hurricane may be coming.....I hope not

What part. I am in Centereach and didnt feel anything.

[brickyardkennedy]

Felt nothing on the east side of Manhattan, nor did a couple of other people in the area, that I spoke to. Was only made aware of it, by the hosts on WFAN sports radio, mentioning that their studio shook.

[Robextend]

When the Earthquake occurred I was on the phone with someone from our Long Island office (Melville) and they felt it, and actually their building was evacuated. It was also felt in Connecticut.

[oaks1912]

While a 5.9 is like a mere speed bump out here on the West Coast, we should remember that most buildings constructed East of the Rockies do not factor in earthquakes into their design, and there are literally hundreds of thousands of buildings constructed of unreinforced masonry... Here on the Coast, I will not patronize any business located in an unreinforced masonry building, no matter how good the food, or how many Zeenuts they have on the shelf....:)

[rdwyer]

There was an earthquake in Long Beach, Ca. last week. We're all doomed!

Seriously, a 5.9 is nothing for us West Coasters.

[iwantitiwinit]

I was in Stamford, CT on a big trading floor and the screens were shaking, I think if you were in larger areas where the floor could vibrate you felt it more. The one in Colorado early this morning was the largest one in the state in 41 years. This is not good.

[ZernialFan]

Everyone,
I was in Sports Card Shop in Charlottesville, Va. about 30 miles from the center in Mineral, Va. "THE VINTAGE CARD CASE WAS NOT DAMAGED".
Thought everyone should know and feel a sense of relief...........
Everything in the place was moving including me, but nothing fell.
Felt like a freight train moving through the place for about 30 seconds.

Charlie

[sycks22]

It was shaking out here in Durham, NC

[BCauley]

I work in D.C. and was walking down the hallway back to my office when it happened. It was the first earthquake I've experienced and it was kind of strange. An earthquake was most certainly NOT what I thought it was. The majority of us thought we'd been hit with a bomb and were glad to realize when we got outside that it was not the case. Got to go back inside after an hour and a half to get our stuff and get out. Currently on stand-by to find out if we're even working tomorrow since the building has to be inspected now.

[yanksfan09]

What part. I am in Centereach and didnt feel anything.

Near Riverhead

[almostdone]

My wife felt it hee in Georgia. She said she thought the washing machine came off center on a spin cycle then realized dhe wasn't doing any laundry.
Drew

[Vintageclout]

I had the day off and was lying on a bed in Staten Island N.Y. watching a movie when I suddenly felt like Linda Blair in the Exorcist!

[Matthew H]

It's amazing how far it traveled... We have earthquakes all the time in California but I don't remember any traveling that far. The faults may be different out there.

[Gemruss]

My 4th floor office in a solid granite building in D.C. felt like it was bumping up and down. Nothing fell in my office but I could hear glass shattering down the hall.

[Buythatcard]

I was trying to open up a PSA slab with a graded T206 Honus Wagner card so that I could get it regraded by SGC. Trying to be very careful not to hurt the card, the shaking began and my hand slipped and accidently cut the card. :D

Not really. Just felt some vibration at my desk in Princeton, NJ.

[WillBBC]

My 4th floor office in a solid granite building in D.C. felt like it was bumping up and down. Nothing fell in my office but I could hear glass shattering down the hall.

I work in the Pentagon half the day then a Crystal City/Arlington office over right off 1. Friggin' terrifying. I lived in Jersey for 20 years before moving down here so earthquakes are totally foreign. When you're walking around a 15 story building and you start shaking all kinds of crap goes through your mind. Not fun at all.

But...we got the rest of the afternoon off and grabbed a few drinks down the street...so all's well that ends well.

[theuclakid]

here in CA, earthquakes are fairly common but 5.8 is still strong no matter where....the 6.9 in 1989 was one I will not soon forget....the cars bouncing up and down, the power lines swinging fiercely from side to side.....and southern California had a few bad ones in the last 20 years also.......but I if I was living on the east coast, I would be much more concerned about the hurricane coming your way....NY for instance is way overdue for a major hit (the last minor ones were in 1985 and 1991, the last big one in 1938).....good luck Barry, I hope it misses you....Bruce Perry

[barrysloate]

Hi Bruce- we're expecting some heavy rains from hurricane Irene this weekend, but don't know how bad it will be. The path of a hurricane is hard to predict.

[Rickyy]

Glad everyone survived...welcome to the tremor club. :D

[Anthony S.]

I was living at my parent's house when the 1989 San Francisco quake (Loma Prieta) hit just as game 1 of the World Series was starting. Being an SF native I'm used to quakes and invariably just ride them out and don't bother to "duck and cover." But about 5 seconds into that one I realized it was a completely different animal, and decided that I'd much rather be outside than in my room. As I ran out the door of my room toward the stairs this hall bookcase (see photo), which was bolted to the wall, and if your scoring at home is 11 feet high and 12 feet long, ripped out of the wall and collapsed - like a tree falling- right in front of me. Missed me by about 2 feet. If I'd decided to run one second earlier - well, not good.

[Pup6913]

hope everyone is okay. My family on the coast said it was scary,but not too bad

[barrysloate]

Just want to wish everyone along the east coast a safe weekend and hopefully a little bit of luck. I have an apartment in the city and a house on Long Island to deal with, so I'm doubly concerned. It's going to be rough sailing but we'll all get through it.

An earthquake and a hurricane in the same week. Who woulda thunk it?

[Big Six]

Just want to wish everyone along the east coast a safe weekend and hopefully a little bit of luck. I have an apartment in the city and a house on Long Island to deal with, so I'm doubly concerned. It's going to be rough sailing but we'll all get through it.

An earthquake and a hurricane in the same week. Who woulda thunk it?

Stay safe Barry...best wishes from across the Sound...

[Matthew H]

I was just 7 years old when the whittier earthquake hit in '87. I was in old town Pasadena eating breakfast at rosie's diner when it hit. A lot of buildings there were old and made of brick with no reinforcement... I watched the top floor of a five story building collapse sideways on a gas station before I had a chance to duck and cover. I don't care how many you live through, you'll never get used to it.

[barrysloate]

Thanks Matt. Guess it's heading your way too. Batten the hatches (that's assuming you have hatches).

[Matthew H]

i just found a photo online that shows the building and damage... I'll never forget the quote on top of the building... I remember the damage different though, maybe it was not a gas station...

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/matthewhall111/4634178559_81fba4986c.jpg

Barry, the building my folks live in NY was built in the 1840's so they were kinda scared... Especially after seeing the same thing I saw in '87 (I assume)

[barrysloate]

Matt- you don't usually see buildings in California built in the 1840's, that's pretty unusual. And that's a lot of damage.:(

[Matthew H]

Matt- you don't usually see buildings in California built in the 1840's, that's pretty unusual. And that's a lot of damage.:(

I was referring to my Dad's place in Chelsea when I said 1840's... I must have not been clear. The photo is of a building I watched crumble during an earthquake when I was a kid.

[barrysloate]

Actually you were clear...I read it too quickly. Sorry.

[Matthew H]

Actually you were clear...I read it too quickly. Sorry.

Are you near Irene Barry? I just talked to my Dad, I guess there were evacuations two blocks from where he lives. My girlfriend's sister was evacuated and she lives in Brooklyn. I also know that my pops can't go to his office...

[barrysloate]

Some parts of Brooklyn are being evacuated, those areas that are closest to sea level. I'm in Cobble Hill which is not in that danger zone. But we may still get walloped tomorrow, who knows. It's dark right now with intermittent rain. The storm won't be intensifying until during the night. We shall see.

[Matthew H]

Some parts of Brooklyn are being evacuated, those areas that are closest to sea level. I'm in Cobble Hill which is not in that danger zone. But we may still get walloped tomorrow, who knows. It's dark right now with intermittent rain. The storm won't be intensifying until during the night. We shall see.

Board up the windows if you can Barry, I can't convince my Dad to. I do, however; have an unreasonable fear of broken glass, which stems from the Northridge quake of '94.

[barrysloate]

I have storm windows, that's the best I can do. Thanks for the well wishes.

[scooter729]

How are folks faring today? No power for me in Boston now, and we had a lot of water in the basement earlier. Thank God nothing of value was near there, although I may now finally have reason to get rid of about 25,000 (now waterlogged) late 80s commons...

[bh3443]

Irene's really made a mess all the way up to Cape Cod, but we are in Framingham and got mostly high winds and bursts of heavy rain.

I hope you are ok, Barry, and all our friends up and down the coast.

All my thoughts and prayers go out to you all!

Your Friend,

Bill Hedin



Some parts of Brooklyn are being evacuated, those areas that are closest to sea level. I'm in Cobble Hill which is not in that danger zone. But we may still get walloped tomorrow, who knows. It's dark right now with intermittent rain. The storm won't be intensifying until during the night. We shall see.

[barrysloate]

Where I live we were very lucky. We had a lot of rain during the night but no flooding. The winds weren't as strong as expected and no trees or large branches came down around here. The rain stopped a while ago and just in the last hour the winds picked up to maybe 30 or 40 MPH gusts. I know some people were flooded but we dodged a bullet.

[x2drich2000]

Thought I'd share this picture I found of the local minor league park after the storm

http://www.net54baseball.com/picture.php?albumid=249&pictureid=4457

DJ

[scooter729]

Damn DJ, that does not look good! I know 732 is New Jersey - what team / stadium is that?

[x2drich2000]

Scott, it is TD Bank Ballpark (Somerville Patriots) in Bridgewater NJ

DJ

[barrysloate]

Looks like their season is over...that's a lot of water.