Residents of New Jersey and New York were startled on Friday morning as a minor earthquake was reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake, initially measured at 4.8 magnitude, occurred near Readington in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy confirmed the earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.7 and activated the State Emergency Operations Center. He urged residents not to call 911 unless they have an actual emergency. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also acknowledged the earthquake, stating that it was felt in parts of Pennsylvania.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul assured the public that her team would provide updates throughout the day. New York City emergency services announced that residents would receive cell phone alerts regarding the earthquake.
Social media was abuzz with reports of the earthquake, with many individuals in Manhattan and surrounding areas feeling the tremors. Some residents as far away as Connecticut and Vermont also reported experiencing the earthquake.
Lara Walsh, a resident of Norwalk, Connecticut, described how her house shook and shelves rattled during the earthquake. She mentioned that the loud sound initially made her think her furnace was exploding. The Fire Department of New York stated that there were no immediate reports of damage.
As investigations into the earthquake continue, authorities are monitoring the situation closely to ensure the safety of residents in the affected regions.
