Metro Subway Delayed, Stevenson Phones Out After Earthquake

(UPDATED, 5:45 p.m.) A few hanging pictures were a tad out of place and the hardlined phones aren't working at Stevenson University's Owings Mills campus, but the buildings are otherwise intact, a university spokeswoman said.

"The earthquake on the [Owings Mills] campus was felt by all who were here," Glenda LeGendre said. "The buildings literally shook, and a few people pulled fire alarms thinking to get everyone out of the building."

Security ran sweeps of the building, LeGendre said, and employees were allowed to re-enter 20 minutes after the earthquake. Students do not move onto campus until Thursday.

"I straightened a few pictures on our walls, and returned to work," she said.

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(UPDATED, 5 p.m.) Metro Subway trains are operating at a reduced speed due to the earthquake, but no serious damage has been found, a Maryland Transit Administration spokesman said.

Rail inspections took place immediately following the earthquake, which struck Owings Mills and much of the mid-Atlantic just before 2 p.m. Tuesday, John Wesley said.

Due to the slower operating speeds of Metro Subway, MARC and light rail services, commuter bus arrival and departure times are off schedule, Wesley said.

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(UPDATED, 4 p.m.) The Maryland Transit Administration's website said Metro Subway is experiencing minor delays, but no other reports out of Owings Mills indicate any negative consequences of the earthquake that struck just before 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Torrey Smith, a rookie wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens, felt the quake outside the team's Owings Mills practice facility.

"Can't believe this earthquake stuff," Smith Tweeted. "I was doing a interview outside and felt it...I took off."

When asked how fast he ran by ESPN sportscaster Mark Jones through Twitter, Smith said it could be measured as a "3.0" second 40-yard dash.

The fastest player in the NFL Combine this season, Miami cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke, ran a 4.28 second 40-yard dash.

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An at about 1:50 p.m. Tuesday shook homes and office buildings in Owings Mills, but no serious issues are being reported, police said.

"It's nothing more than if there were a bad weather event. Nothing is overloading," said Baltimore County Police Cpt. Matt McElwee, commander of the Franklin precinct.

"Our system and everything is OK," he said.

The T. Rowe Price building on Red Run Boulevard was evacuated shortly after the quake, Bethany Meyer said, through Twitter. Employees have since re-entered the building, she said.

Nic Dot, who lives near the Owings Mills Mall, said she and her kids felt the earthquake, but added they were all OK.

“We were surprised and uneasy but definitely all ok,” Dot Tweeted. “Kids are a little scared now though.”

McElwee said the earthquake was the first he had ever felt, and seemed fine with never feeling one again. The police commander joked that he didn’t want to read any stories about aftershocks on Patch. 

Apparently not everyone in Owings Mills was frightened by the shake, however. 

“Party over here!” Stacie Munoz said through Twitter.