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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - Anthony Ortiz, 24, and Orley Mejia, 25, were at the Chatteron Avenue park Tuesday afternoon when reverberations from a 5.9 magnitude earthquake in Mineral, Virginia shook White Plains.
Ortiz and Mejia said they felt minor shakes, however, neither of them were worried because they've experienced more severe and frequent earthquakes in their home country, Colombia.
"In Colombia it happens at least once or twice a month. It's funny, because when you go down the stairs, it feels like your drunk. Everything is moving," said Mejia, a construction worker from White Plains.
White Plains police said they didn't receive any reports of damage or injuries. However, many White Plains residents, including Edwin Harrison, were quite shocked.
"I was in my apartment and it was like a little shock. My couch started trembling and my lamp almost came off of the counter," said Harrison, 27, who lives on Harding Avenue. "My mother left the house. She knew what it was, but I didn't. I guess we had one here when I was young, but I don't remember."
Both the county and federal courthouses were briefly evacuated, but reopened around 3 p.m.
The 5.9 magnitude tremblor hit at 1:51 p.m. Tuesday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGC).
The earthquake, which was centered in Mineral, shook cities across the East Coast, including Washington, D.C., Fairfield County, and Westchester. It was also reportedly felt in Martha's Vineyard, where President Obama is vacationing. The tremblor was felt as far north as Concord, N.H.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority said railroads are operating normally. The Holland Tunnel, which connects Manhattan to New Jersey, was briefly closed for inspection, but has since reopened.
Where were you when the earthquake hit? Did you feel anything? If so, what was it like? Email thoughts to strangle@mainstreetconnect.us and we'll include your responses in future coverage.
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