Community Corner

Updated: Earthquake Felt Around Canton and Massachusetts

Residents reporting feeling effects of Virginia earthquake today.

Nothing like an earthquake to stir up a Tuesday afternoon. At about 1:50p.m. today, a 5.9 earthquake hit near Richmond, Virginia. Folks all along the east coast reported feeling the quake.

Reports of tremors are coming in from as far north as Vermont, Canton, Boston, Newton, Concord, Easton and Milton.

In Canton, said the quake was felt at the Washington Street police station. No damages were reported, he said, althought the department received a few calls.

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

The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake happened at 1:51 p.m. with an epicenter nine miles south of Mineral, Virginia and had a depth of 1 kilometer.

"While there appears to have been numerous building evacuations across the Commonwealth, MEMA is not aware of serious injuries or major damage associated with the earthquake," a statement from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency said. "MEMA has been in contact with all 3 nuclear power plants in our region; there are no issues associated with the earthquake."

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

According to reports from the New York Times and other media outlets, the White House, Capitol building and Pentagon were evacuated due to the quake Tuesday afternoon.

On Twitter and Facebook, users reported feeling the shake of the earthquake, including in Maryland, New York City, Milton and Boston.

If you felt the quake, email lisa.gentes@patch.com


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