Earthquake Prompts Shelter-In-Place For Chester Schools Friday: PD

CHESTER, NJ — An earthquake rattled Morris County and much of the Garden State on Friday morning, and schools in Chester have entered a shelter-in-place.

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake was detected with an epicenter seven kilometers north northeast of Whitehouse Station in New Jersey, according to the United States Geological Survey, which monitors earthquakes.

Police said all students and staff are unharmed, and ask parents not to come pick up pupils until the order has been lifted. Officers on scene, as normal procedure for a shelter-in-place. Chester Police made the announcement at 10:39 a.m.

Morris County officials ask people to only call 911 if they have a true emergency.

The shaking began about 10:30 a.m. and lasted for approximately 30 seconds, according to reports. The quake was felt as far as New York City and Philadelphia.