Montco Public Safety 'Monitoring' After Earthquake Hits: Updates

EAGLEVILLE, PA — Montgomery County public safety officials say they are “monitoring” the situation after a magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck in northern New Jersey Friday morning and shaking the ground for residents around the greater Philadelphia area.

The earthquake’s epicenter was Whitehouse Station, about 60 miles northeast of center city Philadelphia, and 50 miles southwest of downtown Manhattan.

Montgomery County has not experienced any major impacts.

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“We are not aware of any injuries, fatalities, or significant damage that occurred in our jurisdiction,” the county’s Department of Public Safety said Friday afternoon.

Related: Residents Across Montgomery County Feel Earthquake Friday

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In the immediate aftermath of the quake, officials said there was a huge influx of calls to the 911 switchboard. Roughly six times the number of normal calls came in between 10:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., officials said. Other agencies like the Norristown Fire Department also confirmed that they had received large numbers of inquiries and calls following the quake.

First responders urged residents to save 911 calls only for true emergencies.

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While some structures in northern New Jersey appear to have been destablized by the earthquake, that has not been the case thus far locally. But sate leadership from Montgomery County said that the governor’s office was also continuing to watch.

“Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania is working with PA Emergency Management Agency to actively monitor the situation and are in contact with counties on any damage,” State Rep. Steve Malagari said in a statement.

While schools in other areas locked down or delayed classes, schools across Montgomery County said that their regular programming was not disturbed by the event.


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