Earthquake updates: USGS says it's 'relatively small,' but tremor shakes residents

A 4.8 earthquake centered in Tewksbury Township in Hunterdon County rattled the tristate area at 10:23 a.m. Friday and sent people who felt the shaking contacting their local police departments.

The earthquake, 2.92 miles under the surface, was felt by millions from Maine to Virginia.

The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the "relatively small" earthquake was centered about a mile north of Oldwick near the intersection of Old Turnpike Road and Hill and Dale Road.

United States Geological Survey spokesman Paul Earle said at an 11 a.m. press conference that an earthquake in the area is "uncommon but not unexpected," in this part of New Jersey.

Earle said there have been a "handful of earthquakes of the magnitude 2 or 3" in the area.

Hunterdon County wants residents to report damage

Hunterdon County officials said Friday afternoon that damage assessment is underway throughout the county, and there have been some reports of structural issues on private properties.

A link has been placed on the county website to capture reports from the public of damage that has occurred.County staff have assessed facilities and infrastructure and are reporting that all essential services are operating without interruption.

• Hunterdon Medical Center has reported there is no damage to its facility and coordination with all utilities that service the county are reporting no present issues.

• The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission has inspected bridges connecting New Jersey to Pennsylvania from Hunterdon County with no damage identified.

• The New Jersey Water Supply Authority is conducting structural assessments on the dams at the Round Valley and Spruce Run reservoirs. No issues have been reported to county offices as of 12:45 p.m. There are local road closures in the area of Round Valley to allow for inspections to safely be conducted.

• The Hunterdon County Emergency Operations Center has been activated to coordinate information andresource needs throughout the community.

“I am grateful for the quick response by our local first responders, Office of Emergency Management, and County staff that have been involved in the ongoing response to the reported earthquake," said Hunterdon County Commissioner Jeff Kuhl. "Thankfully, at this time, there have been no reported injuries or major damage sustained by residents, businesses, and local governments. We will continue to stay in regular contact with municipal officials until all inspections and reporting is finished."

Aftershocks continue to rattle N.J. residents

According to the USGS, here are the aftershocks from the 4.8 earthquake, as of 2:50 p.m.

• Magnitude 2.2, 4 km ENE of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, 1:32:13 p.m.

• Magnitude 2.0, 4 km NNE of Chester, New Jersey, 1:14:12 p.m.

• Magnitude 1.8, 1 km W of Chester, New Jersey, 12:31:51 p.m.

• Magnitude 2.0, 6 km E of Califon, New Jersey, 11:49:36 a.m.

• Magnitude 2.0, 7 km W of Bedminster, New Jersey, 11:20:20 a.m.

What did it sound like at the epicenter of the N.J. earthquake?

Nadine Marron, who said she lives about 3,000 from the earthquakes epicenter in Tewksbury, wonder if the roof collapsed.

"It was so loud, it sounded like a freight train on top of my house," she said.

Her neighbors told her that their couches and dining room table jumped from the floor during the quake

Was there reported damage after the N.J. earthquake?

No significant damage or injuries have been reported.

NJ Transit has announced 20-minute delays as bridges are being inspected for any possible damage,

Buildings rattled in Somerville and throughout Central Jersey.

Response from N.J. officials, residents after the earthquake

Gov. Phil Murphy posted on X;: "Our region just experienced an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.7, with an epicenter near Readington in Hunterdon County. We have activated our State Emergency Operations Center. Please do not call 911 unless you have an actual emergency."

He also posted a link to the United States Geological Survey earthquake information page.

South Brunswick and Edison police reported no damage or injuries from the quake. Metuchen and Branchburg are asking residents to check their properties for damage.

In Milltown, about 30 miles from the earthquake’s epicenter, a loud rumbling noise accompanied shaking on Herbert Avenue in Milltown. A songbook fell off a piano inside one house.

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Neighbors ran out of their homes and stood on lawns and porches asking each other what had just happened.

“It felt like my house was going to fall down,” said one resident. Another wondered if a residential construction project might have collapsed and caused the rumbling.

More on this story to come.

Email: srussell@gannettnj.com

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ earthquake centered in Tewksbury, strength, aftershocks, reaction