About five minutes ago I got a call from TPM Managing Editor David Kurtz telling us their building was being evacuated for what seemed like either an explosion or an earthquake. By the end of the 60 or 90 second call, it seemed clear it was an earthquake. As I was talking to him we begin to feel what I’d call very mild swaying of our 12 story building here in lower Manhattan. (Since I was being told about an apparent earthquake near DC, for a moment I think I was reacting to the power of suggestion. But everyone in the office here definitely felt it.)
Tell us what you felt, heard.
More soon.
Late Update: The USG is estimating a 5.8 earthquake centering somewhere near DC. I’m sure they know the precise epicenter. But we haven’t heard yet.
2:01 PM: Epicenter apparently in Charlottesville, VA.
2:10 PM: USGS reporting as 5.9.
2:10 PM: TPM Reader SP reports in from near the epicenter …
Reporting from Dahlgren, VA (about 50 miles south of DC): very strong shaking – enough to knock things over in my office. We had to evacuate our building. No injuries at our site. Internet working fine, cell and landline voice circuits all busy with people checking up on their loved ones.
Now we’re all waiting for aftershocks!
2:11 PM: Reports of feeling the earthquake from New Hampshire, Dedham, Mass.. We have one report of from Madison, WI from TPM Reader CH. That sounds awfully far away to feel it. So let’s be cautious about that report. But I’ll note it.
2:14 PM: From TPM Reader LM in North Carolina …
I live near Greensboro, North Carolina. I felt the earthquake today, sitting at my desk on the second story of my house – my computer monitor was vibrating from side to side so badly, I thought that my washing machine in the room next door had become seriously unbalanced. The only problem is, of course, I am not using my washing machine right now! I guess this is what it feels like to live in California.
It took me a few minutes to put two and two together. Thank you for updating your webpage – it was the first confirmation I could get about what was happening!
Love your blog. Keep up the good work!
