5.8 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Berkeley Heights and Mountainside

Berkeley Heights, Mountainside and surrounding towns were rattled by tremors from an earthquake this afternoon as residents and town workers felt windows shaking and chairs wobbling underneath them.

The US Geological Survey has confirmed that a 5.9 magnitude earthquake occurred at 1:51 p.m. today 35 miles northwest of Richmond, Virginia. Aftershocks were reported in Virginia about an hour afterward.

Tremors from the quake were felt in Berkeley Heights, Mountainside and surrounding towns.

In speaking to Patch this afternoon, Berkeley Heights Chief of Police Michael Mathis said his department had not received any calls regarding damage in the township. Police did check the high school to make sure it was secure.

Chief Mathis said that although he didn't feel the effects of the earthquake, there were several officers and staff who saw the windows shake while chairs wobbled. He also mentioned that an officer driving in his patrol car felt his car "bucking and shaking" for a few seconds as if there was trouble with the engine.

Mountainside police Captain Rich Osieja felt the earthquake first hand. "I never experienced anything like that," said Capt. Osieja. "I was standing in the office with the chief and the door started shaking. We looked at each other and we could tell it was an earthquake -- it lasted for about 45 seconds. It was pretty intense."

There were numerous calls to the Mountainside police department, but no reports of damage.

Residents are urged to check their local and regional news outlets for further information.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Association, New Jersey ranks low on the list of states at risk for experiencing an earthquake.

"Earthquake hazards are measured as the likelihood of experiencing earthquake shaking of various intensities," according to FEMA's website. Northern New Jersey is put in a category that's described as "having a hazard shaking of moderate intensity," which could be felt by all and could lead to slight damage.

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management is monitoring the effects of the earthquake across the Garden State.  Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and Director of the State OEM in the Regional Operations Intelligence Center is keeping updated on developments regarding the earthquake that was centered in Virginia. 

Around New Jersey, The NJOEM has been in constant contact with the Governor's office and other state department and local officials. At this time, there are very few reports of damage to any infrastructure in the state.  

Roadways, Bridges and tunnels all seem to be intact. Deptford Township in Gloucester County has reports of a gas leak on one street (Craig Drive) and there have been several residential evacuations at that location.  Also, Gloucester County College reported a gas leak in one building that has since been evacuated.  There were no reports of any injuries.  

The seismic activity triggered an "Unusual Event" at Hope Creek and Salem Nuclear plants, but that is a normal response to such an event.  There have been no reports of any damage at either facility. Mobile phone service was unavailable for many users, but preliminary indications are that this disruption was due to an extremely high call volume generated by users. 

Although aftershocks cannot be ruled out, the distance from the epicenter would indicate that there is need not be a great concern for New Jersey residents. The NJOEM will continue to update the Governors office and the public on any new developments.

Both Newark airport and JFK Airport in New York were closed temporarily so that runways could be checked for cracks, among other things.

The quake was felt for several seconds throughout Union County, as readers wrote in on our Facebook page with their experiences.

Here's what they're saying:

• Cynthia Trostler TOTALLY. I used to live in SoCal....it was a small one but friends up in Ohio and down and Philly are saying they felt it too (on facebook)

• John Passuth Yes... pictures were shaking on my walls - JP from Clark

• Annie Slane Troy my mothers bed, was shakin back and forth. Middletown, NJ
• Kristen Willix-Kaplan Felt it in whitehouse station, mom felt it in garwood
• Anthony Sytko Building definitely shook here on Central Ave in Clark.
• Larry Russo I am home working in a wheeled office desk chair - I felt it rocking then noticed the walls moving slightly - rocking back and forth in short jerky motions - VALLEY ROAD Clark NJ
• Roger Stryeski Slight tremor on the 2nd floor in Roselle. A person on the 1st floor didn't notice anything.
• John Passuth Starlite Drive in Clark, suffered minor leaf and twig damage... my 5 year old is heading up the clean-up effort
• Lisa Marconi Apuzzio My whole house shook....perfume bottles rattled and glass too!!

And, from the funny folks at 

• Senoritas Mexican Grill & Bar Senoritas Drink Special. All Drinks will be shaken not stirred today. Enjoy $5 house Margaritas all shook up.

Check out the live blog from Huffington Post for the latest from the Washington D.C. area.

Did you feel the earthquake?