All Shook Up: Earthquake Hits East Coast (update)

Did you remember to take refuge in a doorway or under a desk?

Or did you even realize an earthquake hit the East Coast?

According to reports, 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit Virginia, and areas along the coast -- including here in Perkiomen Valley -- felt the effects.

Limerick Generating Station Site Communications Manager Joe Szafran has reported to Patch that the power plant is safe after the earthquake.

"The units are operating online safely," Szafran said. "Right now, when we experience a seismic event like we did, we have procedures that we follow that include a lock-down of plant equipment. We are in the middle of getting that started and doing that as we speak. The plant is continuing to operate safely throughout the event and are still operating safely at full power and 100-percent. That's where we're at now."

•A CBS news report noted cell phone service is down in some parts of the area. PECO is not reporting any power outages. Spokesperson on program said system is built to withstand earthquakes of this magnitude.

•According to Upper Moreland Patch Local Editor Gerry Dungan, "Upper Moreland's Director of Public Safety Robert Drenne, suggested that homeowners check to see if all electrical systems in the house are still intact and there are no water leaks or damage."

•As far as other effects throughout the area, some of the gas pumps at the were not working for part of this afternoon.

•Facebook and Twitter feeds have been flooded with comments about the earthquake. From the PV Patch page, in response to the question "Did you feel anything?":

Katie Groom Kupetz
We did! My hubby was in the basement on the laptop and I was in the kitchen and the house was rattling and shaking....yikes!!

Cyndi Nash Reitenbaugh
I was actually running around with the vacuum on. So I didn't feel it but I kept hearing a rumbling noise like a big truck. I ran out front and there was no one outside. Thought it was odd until my mom called and said did you feel it. Scary. ... Oh and I just checked all my pictures have moved a lot.

James Kishtok
I did.

Elizabeth F. Nash
Sure did and it was very strange!

• FEMA's safety list for earthquakes.