World News | 5.1-magnitude Quake Hits North Carolina, Causes Minor Damage
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. The most powerful earthquake to hit North Carolina in more than 100 years shook much of the state early Sunday, rattling homes, businesses and residents.
Sparta (US), Aug 10 (AP) The most powerful earthquake to hit North Carolina in more than 100 years shook much of the state early Sunday, rattling homes, businesses and residents.
The National Weather Service in Greenville said the 5.1-magnitude temblor struck at 8:07 am, following a much smaller quake several hours earlier.
There were no reports of injuries, but some minor structural damage was reported in Sparta, as well as cracks in roads. Images on social media also showed items knocked off of grocery store shelves.
Michael Hull was standing in his driveway at his home in Sparta when he noticed a group of deer running.
Also Read | BBC Issues Apology After Flak For Using Racial Slur in Report on Attack Against Black NHS Worker in Bristol.
“Not even a minute passed and the side-to-side motion started,” Hull said. “It takes you a minute to realize what's happening, and you just can't believe it. Then it was over. It was loud, like God was shaking a mountain at you, literally.”
Karen Backer was in her Greensboro apartment when she heard initially mistook banging in her kitchen for her roommate.
“Nope, it was the cabinet doors 'clinking' open and closed! My neighbours on the other hand said they felt our apartment building shaking,” Backer said.
“Well, sadly, nothing surprises me in 2020, but a hurricane and an earthquake in the same week is crazy.”
It was the largest earthquake to hit the state since 1916, when a magnitude 5.5 quake occurred near Skyland, the weather service said.
The US Geological Service said the quake's epicenter was about 2.5 miles (four kilometers) southeast of Sparta, just south of the Virginia-North Carolina border.
The USGS said the population in the affected region resides in structures “that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist.”
The quake was felt in nearby states including Virginia, South Carolina and Tennessee.(AP)
(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)