Rumble at the Zoo: Devon Mom Describes Earthquake

Mary Ruth Thompson of Devon was just wrapping up a long day at the Philadelphia Zoo when a 5.9 magnitude earthquake rumbled through the Northeastern United States, shaking Philadelphia and the Upper Main Line.

At first Thompson didn't even realize what was happening. "It felt like in a parking garage when (a heavy truck or vehicle) rumbles through,"she said. "Honestly I thought maybe I hadn't enough water to drink and I should go sit down in the car after you know, a long day with the kids."

Thompson, her daughter,a student at , and a friend had no trouble getting out of the city in the moments after the earthquake struck. They were enjoying ice cream at in Berwyn about one hour after the tremor.

They may have gotten out of the city in the nick of time. Traffic backed up soon after in the entire region as SEPTA temporarily shut down theand other regional rail lines and workers poured out of Center City high rise buildings.  Many Center City workers took the rest of the afternoon off and the afternoon rush hour started early, made worse by the delays on mass transit.

SEPTA regional rail lines were back in service within about an hour, but teh transit agency told commuters to expect delays of up to an hour through the afternoon rush.

Click on the video clip to hear Thompson's story in her own words.