UPDATE: Breaking: Earthquake in New York

By Rockland Daily Staff

UPDATE FROM ROCKLAND COUNTY GOVERMENT:

The County of Rockland has partially activated our Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and is maintaining communication with the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. We urge residents to only call 911 in case of an emergency. Safety information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency can be found here. 

The County provides the following updates with various agencies:

Orange & Rockland – teams have been dispatched to perform infrastructure assessments. O&R has fixed a gas leak that was reported and the cause is still unconfirmed. 

VEOLIA – teams have been dispatched to perform infrastructure assessments.

NYS Parks Dept – teams have been dispatched to perform infrastructure assessments.

Indian Point – teams have been dispatched to perform infrastructure assessments.

Health Care Facilities – being canvassed, so far, no reported damages.

Highway Depts. – being canvassed, so far, no reported damages.

Police Chiefs – being canvassed, so far, no reported damages.

Fire Chiefs – being canvassed, so far, no reported damages.

Supervisors and Mayors Offices – being canvassed, so far, no reported damages.

Metro North -   teams have been dispatched to perform infrastructure assessments, so far no reported damages.

New York Thruway Authority - teams have been dispatched to perform infrastructure assessments on Thruway and Tappan Zee Bridge.

Natural Gas Transmission Lines are being assessed.

Water Treatment and Sewer Treatment are being assessed.

There is a possibility of aftershocks to occur for the next 24-48 hours.

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UPDATE 12:03pm:

At the Press Conference in Albany, Governor Hochul emphasized the possibility of aftershocks and highlighted that this earthquake is one of the largest on the East Coast in a century. Safety measures were provided, advising citizens to drop to the floor during aftershocks and inspect their homes for damage.

The Governor shared that immediate inspections were dispatched to all bridges, tunnels, and gas, water, and electric transformers to ensure their safety.

Assistance was also offered by the White House as well as Senator Schumer.

UPDATE:

The County of Rockland and County Executive Ed Day urge residents to stay calm following a 4.8 Earthquake that occurred early Friday. 

The earthquake hit at approximately 10:30 a.m., with an epicenter believed to be in New Jersey, and felt in Albany through the Lower Hudson Valley and New York City. 

So far there are no reports of any damage, but the County is still assessing the impact and working with Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory research center and the State of New York to gather more information and will publicize as appropriate.

As aftershocks are common following earthquakes, residents are advised to stay alert and be prepared for any further seismic activity.

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ORIGINAL REPORT 10:46a.m.:

An earthquake with a preliminary rating of 4.7 just hit NY and was felt in surrounding areas, Monsey included. 

Many residents felt their house shake for 10-15 seconds before it subsided. 

More information to come soon.