4.8 Earthquake shakes us up in New Jersey and beyond
A 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck New Jersey on Friday, roughly 60 miles north of where we live.
I was working at my desk when I felt a low rumbling begin. As the intensity increased, the house started shaking. Having lived in Southern California for most of my life and experiencing numerous earthquakes, I immediately recognized the tremors. While it wasn't a major event for me, it was a different story for residents of the Tri-State area (New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut) unaccustomed to such ground movement. Buildings rumbled and swayed, triggering a flurry of panicked phone calls.
Within hours, the Holland Tunnel was closed for inspections, causing delays for drivers. Flights departing from LaGuardia and Newark airports were also grounded, resulting in up to 45-minute delays.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy activated the state's emergency operations center to assess any potential damage. Similarly, New York Governor Kathy Hochul's team is continuing to evaluate critical infrastructure, including roads and bridges, for any possible damage.