5.9 Magnitude Earthquake in VA Felt in Cranston, RI

People across the eastern seaboard felt the ground sway under their feet today after a 5.9 magnitude earthquake in Virginia.

In Cranston, the tremors were felt by many. Doreen Isadore Fontes said on our Facebook page that she felt it in Eden Park. Liza Corbo felt it in the Stadium section, along with Cindy Butterfield Rolle, who said her whole house was swaying and flowers were moving in their vase.

"I felt that and I thought I was nuts," said Sabina Perrotti.

Ed Garcia, technology coordinator for Cranston Public Libraries, said he felt it and his dining room table shook. He tought he was getting "woozy," a sensation that many felt when the quake happened. 

Cranston Fire Chief William McKenna said there were a couple calls from the Edgewood section of town by people who felt the ground shake and were concerned. Aside from that, there were no noteworthy incidents to report.

At the Cranston Senior Center, some people felt the ground sway, others didn't.

The earthquake was first reported as a 5.8 magnitude quake. Reuters reported soon after the earthquake was a 6.0, but according to the United States Geological Society, the quake registered 5.9 with an epicenter 4 miles southwest of Mineral, Va. and 83 miles from Washington D.C.

I was in my car on Cranston Street on my way to the and I felt a swaying, which felt like strong wind rocking the car. 

Did you just feel something? 

The tremors caused many people to spill out of tall buildings in cities across the region, including New York City, Boston and Providence. The Rhode Island State House cleared out briefly, according to the Providence Journal.

Phone lines and cellular networks are slammed and many calls aren't going through as people try to reach loved ones.

There are no major reports of damage far from the epicenter at this time.

The quake officially occured at 1:51 p.m. eastern time.