Limerick Power Plant Inspected For Damage

UPDATE 4:58 p.m. Aug. 23, 2011: A news release from Exelon Nuclear states, "None of Exelon Nuclear's four Mid-Atlantic nuclear energy stations was affected by this afternoon’s seismic activity in Virginia, and all continue to operate safely at this time. An 'unusual event' was declared at each of the stations following the seismic activity, in accordance with plant procedures: Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Three Mile Island Generating Station and Limerick Generating Station in Pennsylvania, and Oyster Creek Generating Station in New Jersey."

UPDATE 3:58 p.m. Aug. 23, 2011: Federal officials say two nuclear reactors in Louisa County, Va., were automatically taken offline by safety systems. - 6abc.com reports.

UPDATE 3:45 p.m. Aug. 23, 2011: Report of a building collapse in Philadelphia. 

UPDATE 3:31 p.m. Aug. 23, 2011: Penn State University said there are no initial reports of injuries or damages at any PSU campuses.

UPDATE 3:15 p.m. Aug. 23, 2011: Lisa Varley of Gilbertsville said she texted her daughter, Tinamarie Clark, earlier today. Clark, 25, is a model in New York City, said Varley, events coordinator at WPAZ 1370 AM in Pottstown.

"I texted her and asked her if she felt (the earthquake)," Varley said. "She said, 'Yes, we're being evacuated.'"

Varley said the last text she received from her daughter was at 2:13 p.m. today. 

Varley said her son, Wayne Clark, 28, is in Englewood, Colorado -- which was also hit with earthquakes earlier today. 

UPDATE 2:58 p.m. Aug. 23, 2011: Limerick Generating Station Site Communications Manager Joe Szafran said Exelon's Limerick Generating Station power plant is being examined.

"Right now, when we experience a seismic event like we did, we have procedures that we follow that include (inspection) 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."

UPDATE 2:50 p.m. Aug. 23, 2011: From Dave Devlin, news and sports director at WPAZ 1370 AM in Pottstown, the Penn Street Bridge in Reading is closed due to the earthquake. 

UPDATE 2:40 p.m. Aug. 23, 2011: Patch.com left messages for Exelon's Limerick Generating Station but calls were not returned.

UPDATE 2:41 p.m. Aug.23, 2011: Due to the earthquake, SEPTA trains will be restricted to 25 mph until tracks can be checked for structural damage.

BACKGROUND: A 5.9 magnitude earthquake that originated in Virginia was felt in Pottstown early this afternoon, according to AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Mike Pigott.

The quake centered around the towns Mineral and Louisa, Va., he said.

Pigott said Pottstown felt tremors from the quake, but it's difficult to define the degree of the shakes.

"You can't really measure that," he said. 

The quake is likely to deliver more action, he said.

"With an earthquake as large as this one, it's likely there will be ... aftershocks," he said.

Other areas of the country are also dealing with the quake's aftermath.

Patch Regional Editor Amy L. Kovac-Ashley reported that cell phone service was out in parts of Maryland.

Fox.news.com reports that parts of New York are being evacuated.

A terrible trembling has apparently shaken the city of Fredericksburg and other areas in northern Virginia. The incident happened around 1:50 p.m. Details are scarce at the moment, but twitter is lighting up with reports of tremors in Fredericksburg, King George, and Manassas among others.

The tremors sent people scurrying into the streets here near the home offices of Fredericksburg Patch on Forbes Street.

Hector Correra, a painter working at 1314 Caroline Street was on top of a ladder scraping paint when the quake struck.

"It was weird." said the shaken Correra. He said he's never felt an earthquake in Virginia before. 

According to a message broadcast to police officers on emergency frequencies with the University of Mary Washington, a magnitude 5.8 quake struck the city. The message did not name its source. 

Police and emergency radio messages indicate that personnel are inspecting buildings on the campus for damage and that all buildings are being evacuated. 

Calls are out to the United States Geological Service for more information. Stay tuned to Fredericksburg Patch as more details are learned. 

Where were you when the quake struck? Is there any damage in your area? What did you do when you felt the ground shake? 

From CBS Philly.com

WASHINGTON (AP) — A 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered northwest of Richmond, Va., shook much of Washington, D.C., and was felt as far north as Rhode Island Philadelphia and New York City.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was 3.7 miles deep. Shaking was felt at the White House and all over the East Coast, as far south as Chapel Hill, N.C. Parts of the Pentagon, White House and Capitol were evacuated. The quake was in Mineral, Va., in Louisa County.
Where were you? Let us know in the comments below.