People across the New York City area and beyond felt a significant earthquake on Friday morning. The 4.8. magnitude tremor hit at a depth of 4.7 kilometers below Califon, New Jersey, at 10:23 a.m., the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed. Officials said the quake is among the strongest to hit the East Coast in a century.
HERE'S THE LATEST:
11:15 a.m. (PST) – 2.2 magnitude aftershock hits New Jersey
A 2.2 magnitude aftershock was reported at a depth of 4 kilometers below Whitehouse Station around 1:30 p.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It followed a 2.0 magnitude aftershock that hit at a depth of 7 kilometers below Bedminster around 11:20 a.m.
Video shows crack on New Jersey street following earthquake
The left a visible crack on a street in Union, New Jersey, causing concern among residents about potential damage and safety issues.
Video shows moments inside of New Jersey home during earthquake
A home security camera captured the moment an earthquake shook a New Jersey home.
10:35 a.m. (PST) – Biden speaks with NJ governor, 'things are all right'
President Joe Biden said he spoke with Gov. Phil Murphy about the earthquake.
The president told reporters outside the White House: "Regarding the earthquake, I spoke to the governor. He thinks everything's under control. He's not too concerned about it. So things are all right."
10:25 a.m. (PST)– Earthquake was near-record breaking for NJ
Friday's 4.8 magnitude earthquake was near record-breaking for New Jersey.
Shawn LaTourette, the state's commissioner of environmental protection, wrote on X that, "The 1783 quake in Rockaway Twp still holds the record at 5.3."
9:45 a.m. (PST) – Aftershock confirmed near Bedminster, NJ
A magnitude 2.0 aftershock occurred at 11:20 a.m. near Bedminster, New Jersey, the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed.
9:30 a.m. (PST) – NYC mayor says no major damage, injuries reported; agencies inspecting infrastructure
During a briefing from NYC Emergency Management headquarters, Mayor Eric Adams said there has been "no reports of major impacts to infrastructure or injuries."
"New Yorkers should go about their normal day," the mayor said.Adams said the city has been receiving a large volume of calls from concerned residents.
"Earthquakes don’t happen every day in New York, so this can be extremely traumatic," he said, while encouraging people to be prepared for possible aftershocks by reviewing earthquake safety protocol.
The mayor said he was at a youth gun summit at Gracie Mansion and did not feel the quake. He was informed by an aide that it had happened.
Zachary Iscol, the commissioner of NYC Emergency Management, echoed Adams in saying there were no major "impacts or safety events related to the earthquake."
"The likelihood of aftershocks remain low, but we do remain vigilant, and we ask all New Yorkers to remain vigilant, as well," Iscol said.
Since the earthquake hit, NYC Emergency Management has been working with its city, state and federal partners, he said.
David Banks, the chancellor of the city's public schools, said there had been no reported injuries to staff or students, and "no indication buildings were compromised."
Buildings Department Commissioner Jimmy Oddo said there are 1.1 million buildings in the city, "meaning we need cooperation from building professionals."
"You need to go out and check on your buildings, even if those sites are closed, and determine the sites are secure," Odoo said. "And if you see any conditions that are troublesome, please reach out."
"We're concerned about some of the downstream possibilities [...] cracks that you may see that may materialize or manifest in a week or a month," he said.
Odoo said the Buildings Department he is adding construction and engineering professionals for the days ahead, "so if reports do come in, we'll be ready to respond."
MTA Chair Janno Lieber said mass transit was operating normally and that initial inspections showed no damage to the MTA's infrastructure like subway stations.
Officials said there was an uptick in 311 and 911 calls around 10:30 a.m. but that the calls had returned to normal levels.
9:10 a.m. (PST) -- NYC Schools urges parents not to report to school buildings
The city Department of Education said it's "aware of the earthquake that was just felt across the city."
"Schools are operating as normal, and there is no need for parents to report to schools," the department said.
JFK resumes operations
John F. Kennedy Airport reported on X that it has resumed operations.
9:05 a.m. (PST) -- Mayor Adams releases statement on earthquake
Mayor Adams released the following statement on Friday's earthquake:
“At approximately 10:23 AM, New York City felt the impact of a 4.8 magnitude earthquake. The epicenter was in Lebanon, New Jersey, about 50 miles from New York City. Our first responders are working to make sure New Yorkers are safe, and at this point, we do not have any reports of major impacts or injuries."
“I encourage all New Yorkers to check on your loved ones, and if you feel an aftershock, drop to the floor, cover your head and neck, and take cover under a solid piece of furniture, next to an interior wall, or in a doorway. So far no major life safety issues reported, no reported infrastructure issues, but we will continue our inspections of critical infrastructure.”
8:55 a.m. (PST) – Hochul urges NYers to prepare for potential aftershocks
During an emergency briefing at the state capitol on the earthquake, Gov. Kathy Hochul said New Yorkers should prepare for potential aftershocks in the days ahead.
"New Yorkers are not accustomed to having earthquakes in our state," she said. "If there is an aftershock, people are encouraged to drop and cover their neck and hold onto something that's sturdy."
The governor said if residents "hear shifting" inside their building they should leave their homes immediately and seek safety outside.
"It could be over, or there could be more effects, so we have to be prepared in the coming days," she said.
There haven't been any reports of significant damage buildings or crashes on highways caused by the quake, she said, and the state hasn't "identified any life-threatening situations."
The state is "evaluating all vulnerable infrastructure sites" like bridges and tunnels. State officials are also in contact with New York City officials and utility companies providing gas and electric services.
Hochul said she and her team were working on the state budget when the earthquake hit.
"This was one of the largest earthquakes to occur on the East Coast in the last century," she said.
8:45 a.m. (PST) -- Emergency Alert sent out about aftershocks
People in New York City received an update alert on their phones about the earthquake: "Earthquake in NYC: Aftershocks may be felt. NYers can continue usual activities.”
8:30 a.m. (PST) -- President Joe Biden briefed
President Joe Biden was briefed about the earthquake and remains in communication with his staff, who are closely monitoring any potential impacts.
"The President has been briefed on the earthquake, which had an epicenter in New Jersey, and he is in touch with his team who are monitoring potential impacts,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “The White House is in touch with federal, state, and local officials as we learn more.”
8:15 a.m. (PST) -- Ground stops at New York and New Jersey airports
A ground stop was implemented at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, and Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
“A 4.8 magnitude earthquake in New Jersey may impact some air traffic facilities in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Air traffic operations are resuming as quickly as possible,” an FAA spokesperson said.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, responsible for Hudson River crossings, announced that the Holland Tunnel, linking lower Manhattan to New Jersey, was temporarily shut down for traffic inspection.
New Jersey Transit announced on X that rail services system-wide may experience delays of up to 20 minutes in both directions due to ongoing bridge inspections following an earlier earthquake.
8 a.m. (PST) – Emergency alert goes out in NYC
People in New York City received a buzzing alert on their phones about the earthquake: "4.7 magnitude earthquake has occurred in the NYC area Residents are advised to remain indoors and to call 911 if injured."
7:50 a.m. (PST) -- Hochul addresses quake, residents report rattling
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state is evaluating the impact.
"A 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit west of Manhattan and has been felt throughout New York," the governor said. "My team is assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day."
The FDNY said there were no initial reports of injuries.
Residents across the boroughs reported their buildings shaking and rattling, with an Astoria resident saying dishes fell off their shelves and a Flushing resident saying they thought their building might collapse.
People in Baltimore, Philadelphia and other areas also reported feeling the ground shake.
The shaking stirred memories of the Aug. 23, 2011, earthquake that jolted tens of millions of people from Georgia to Canada. Registering magnitude 5.8, it was the strongest quake to hit the East Coast since World War II. The epicenter was in Virginia.
The Empire State Building wrote on X and assured everyone that it was unharmed following the earthquake.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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