Earthquake in VA, Felt in Port Jeff Area

A 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit Virginia on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey website and shocks were felt throughout Long Island, including Port Jefferson village and Port Jefferson Station.

Patrons sitting in Panera Bread on Route 347 in Port Jefferson Station were bewildered when lamps started swaying and their chairs rumbled beneath them. Worried looks were exchanged as the tremors continued.

Barbara Donlon, a Port Jefferson Station resident and Patch contributor emailed to tell us that the earthquake was felt throughout the area.

"There was an earthquake in Virginia that was felt through the tri-state area, including New Jersey and New York," she wrote in an email. "Many people here on Long Island and Port Jefferson Station have felt it. The after shocks have been being felt here and several people have felt it. Cell phone services have been messed up too."

In Port Jefferson village shocks were felt too.

Port Jefferson school board member Bob Ramus told us on Twitter that he felt it at home.

"My chair moved side to side and the chandelier started to sway a bit," he said. "Very strange feeling."

"i'm at Port Jefferson Village Center and I honestly thought something exploded," said Megan Colleen Smith.

A local business owner, in Port Jefferson, Leslie Sells Long Island said on Facebook that "I thought I was having a dizzy spell."

Not everyone felt it thought.

"I did not feel it in Mount Sinai," said Monica Snowdeal Stone on Patch's Facebook page. "Feel a little left out."

Chris Uhll said in Port Jefferson he didn't feel a thing.

"So strange," he said.

Drew Linsalata said, "I missed the whole thing. I'm obviously not paying close enough attention to the ground beneath my feet."

Suffolk County Police Department asked residents to "remain calm as local officials assess the impact of the earthquake that was felt in Suffolk County this afternoon."

Residents who wish to report non-emergency incidents resulting from the earthquake, such as downed trees or wires, are asked to call the Suffolk County Police Department’s non-emergency line at 631-852-COPS. Residents may also call 911 if there is an emergency. 

There have been no reports of substantial damage according to police.

We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.