Several Homes Seen ‘Leaning’ In Newark After Earthquake: Reports

NEWARK, NJ — Friday morning’s earthquake left its mark on Newark, with several homes apparently left unstable and “leaning” in the wake of the quake, reports say.

Multiple houses on 3rd Street and 7th Avenue were reportedly deemed unsafe by city officials, who closed off the road with police tape and barrier. A resident said he and his neighbors had to evacuate their homes, News 12 reported.

There were accounts of leaning and unstable structures near a few homes, Fox 5 New York reported, sharing photos and adding that it was currently unclear if the damage was due to the quake.

Officials said 10 families, including 25 adults and three children, were relocated due to the situation, Gothamist reported.

Patch has reached out to Newark city officials for more details. We will update this article with any reply we receive.

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake was detected with an epicenter seven kilometers north northeast of Whitehouse Station in New Jersey, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which monitors earthquakes. See Related: Earthquake Rocks NJ, PA, NYC

Reports of buildings shaking began about 10:30 a.m. and lasted for approximately 30 seconds. The shaking was felt as far as New York City and Philadelphia. A series of aftershocks followed, including a 4.0 magnitude aftershock around 6 p.m.

The seismic activity caused air and train delays for commuters in the Newark area.

• See Related: Flight Disruptions At Newark Airport After Earthquake Shakes NJ
• See Related: Earthquake Causes NJ Transit Train Delays, Bridge Inspections

Newark City Council President LaMonica McIver advised local residents to “stay calm” in the wake of the quake.

“Teams are assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day,” she wrote. “The state has activated the State Emergency Operations Center. Please do not call 911 unless you have an actual emergency.”

The Newark Housing Authority said the earthquake may be “unsettling” to local residents.

“With your safety and well-being as our top priority, our maintenance and site staff are on-site all day to address any concerns and ensure normal operations resume,” the housing authority stated, asking residents to do two things:

• Check home and surrounding areas for safety and report concerns – If you see or smell anything unusual in your apartment or building (leaks, building damage, etc.), please notify your building management immediately. If you suspect a gas leak, leave your home and call 911. Once you are in a safe place, report the issue to your utility company.
• Stay informed – Listen to local radio, TV, or other news sources for emergency information.

Friday’s earthquake will likely stick in the minds of many Newark residents who were caught by surprise.

“I was in ShopRite watching the hot sauce bottles shaking,” a resident reported on social media.

Earthquakes in the eastern United States are infrequent – but not unexpected, the USGS says. Since 1950, there have been 40 other earthquakes of magnitude 3 or higher within 250 kilometers of Friday’s earthquake. See Related: Here's What Caused Earthquake That Shook NJ, Experts Say

Here’s what happened in some other towns across Essex County:

• Bloomfield
• Caldwells
• Livingston
• Maplewood
• Millburn
• Montclair
• West Orange

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