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Residents in Westchester and Putnam counties are among those along the East Coast abuzz about an earthquake that was felt late Friday morning, April 5.
The quake, which originated in Hunterdon County, New Jersey in the borough of Lebanon about 60 miles west of midtown Manhattan, was felt across the Hudson Valley at 10:23 a.m., and measured 4.8 on the Richter scale, according to the US Geological Survey.
Shortly after the earthquake hit, several police departments across Westchester and Putnam sent out alerts to residents advising them to only call 911 for urgent emergencies.
"We are aware of this incident, and ask that you ONLY CALL 911 TO REPORT STRUCTURAL DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY in relation to this incident," the Yonkers Police Department said on Friday morning.
The Westchester County Police Department also echoed a similar sentiment: "Yup, we felt it too. Then the phones lit up. Please only call 911 if you have an actual emergency so these lines can stay open."
In a statement, Westchester County Executive George Latimer said no damage was reported from the earthquake but that residents should still check their homes as a precaution.
"Residents should check for gas or water leaks, or any structural damage to their homes," he said, adding, "Holtec is reporting no damage as well as ConEdison, and the electrical grid and Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) plants."
Operations at Westchester County Airport will also continue uninterrupted, Latimer said.
"Understandably, this is an unnerving experience, but Westchester County appears to have no ongoing emergencies due to the earthquake," Latimer continued.
The earthquake also affected the school day for some Westchester students in districts such as the Mount Pleasant Central School District, where children were brought inside and a hold in place was briefly enforced. Luckily, no damage or injuries were reported, Superintendent Peter Giarrizzo said.
Authorities in Putnam also alerted residents, with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office reporting no major damage from the quake.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also confirmed the quake in a post on X: "My team is assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day," she said.
The excitement may not be completely over, as the Mount Vernon Police Department warned that aftershocks "may occur in the next few hours."
Still, residents should avoid calling the police unless an emergency presents itself, as repeated by the Ossining Police Department in a social media post: "We like our residents shaken, not stirred."
The Westchester County Emergency Operations Center is remaining activated as a precautionary measure and will provide updates as needed, county officials said.
This is a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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