Hudson Valley Feels 4.8 Earthquake Friday; Aftershocks Continue

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Did you feel that? Well, you weren’t alone.

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.8 shook the Hudson Valley and much of the region just before 10:30 a.m. Friday.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred around 10:23 a.m. 4.3 miles north of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, at a depth of 2.9 miles. The USGS said there was an aftershock with a preliminary magnitude of 2.0 at 11:20 a.m. near the same location, though it was deeper at almost 5 miles.

Around 6 p.m. Friday, an aftershock was felt in parts of the Hudson Valley. The USGS said it had a preliminary magnitude of 4.0. The shock was centered about 4.3 miles southwest of Gladstone, New Jersey.

A trooper answering the phones after the initial quake at New York State Police Troop K headquarters in Millbrook said they were getting a lot of phone calls about the rumbling.

Keith Bailey was standing in his kitchen in the city of Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County when he thought a large truck was going by his townhouse.

“Then it didn’t stop,” he said, adding that the kitchen table was shaking from side to side.

“I was hoping it doesn’t get worse,” Bailey said.

Mahopac resident Austin Lange also felt the quake in his Putnam County home.

“It felt like driving over a rumble strip,” he told Patch.

Governor Kathy Hochul said during a news conference that this was one of the largest earthquakes on the East Coast to occur in the last century.

“So, I immediately directed my emergency management team, the second we received word of this, to start doing damage assessments,” she said, including any bridges or tunnels that are compromised.

Hochul said that residents should inspect their homes for damage.

“Check walls, floors, doors, windows, staircases, and if you see any damage at all, you may need to relocate while the event is going on,” she said. “Again, check your own gas lines and water lines to make sure that your family is safe.”

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said that the regional transit system is operating safely and normally following the earthquake that was felt throughout the service region. Initial inspections have indicated that there was no damage to any MTA infrastructure.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer personnel were still checking in with County Departments and municipalities, but no reports of damage have so far been received.

“Holtec is reporting no damage as well as ConEdison, and the electrical grid and Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) plants,” he said. “Residents should check for gas or water leaks, or any structural damage to their homes. Airport operations are continuing uninterrupted.”

Latimer said that it was understandably an unnerving experience, but the county appears to have no ongoing emergencies due to the earthquake.

“While the earthquake was prolonged and noticeable, it is not dissimilar to what we have experienced in the past with other earthquakes,” he said.

The Westchester County Emergency Operations Center will remain activated as a precaution, and provide updates as needed. Latimer said, adding that aftershocks are common following an earthquake, so residents should stay alert.”

Putnam County spokesman Christopher Formisano told Patch, “In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, our Bureau of Emergency Services and Department of Public Works teams are checking all county facilities, trails, roads, and bridges.”

Rockland County Executive Ed Day urged residents not to be alarmed or overreact to the earthquake.

Clarkstown’s Supervisor George Hoehmann said that no damage has been reported from the earthquake, but he has directed town staff to begin a complete and thorough safety check of all the town’s critical infrastructure.

“Cell phone service was temporarily disrupted due to an overload of call volume,” he said, “but [it] appears to be functioning normally again now.”

Students in schools in Mamaroneck felt the earthquake, and a spokesperson said the school day will continue as planned.

Minor vibrations were felt and everyone in the schools was safe, the district said.

“There is no damage to any building,” the spokesperson said. “Principals made announcements to students and staff in their respective buildings.”

In the town of Greenburgh, Supervisor Paul Feiner said he was not aware of any damage.

He did advise residents to call 1-800-75-CONED and the Greenburgh Police at 914-989 1700 if they experience a gas leak or odor of natural gas.

In Yonkers, the Yonkers Police Department said there was no reported structural damage or injuries in the city — at this time. Residents are asked to only call 911 to report structural damage or personal injury. Updates will be provided by the police as necessary.