4.5 Maine Earthquake Felt in Wilmington, Boston Area
The U.S. Geological Survey reports a 4.5 shake near Lake Arrowhead, Maine
Update, 8:45pm: The US Geological Survey has downgraded the magnitude from 4.5 to 4.0.
Gov. Deval Patrick released a statement around 8:45 p.m. this evening:
"Many Massachusetts residents felt the effects of an earthquake tonight. According to MEMA, which is monitoring events and has briefed me, the quake was centered some 30 miles outside of Portland, Maine.
So far, we have no reports of injury or damage in Massachusetts. MEMA will continue to monitor the situation closely. Residents should use caution if they encounter any damage and take a minute to check in on neighbors, family and friends."
Original Story: Small tremors were felt in the Greater Boston area after a 4.5 magnitude Earthquake near Lake Arrowhead, Maine.
Wilmington residents reported feeling strong trembles throughout town, and the earthquake was felt throughout New England.
"Loud windows and furniture shook," said Wilmington resident Cheryl Faro on the Wilmington Patch Facebook page. "Sounded like a huge truck going down the road. Really eerie!"
Though some residents did not feel any movement, many of the commenters on Patch's Facebook page echoed Faro's experience.
"It felt like when the washing machine shakes the house combined with sounding like a train passing by," said Laurie Kennison Finne.
We'll have more information as it becomes available, be sure to follow up on Facebook, Twitter and sign up for our newsletter and breaking news alerts.
Did you feel the tremors? Help us out and tell us where you felt them in the comments below.
Debbie
7:58 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
We felt it over by Silver Lake - thought at first there was an accident and went outside to look around and realized it could have been earthquake
Kevin MacDonald
7:59 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
What's going to happen when something like this ruptures the ( 2 ) 10,000 gallon underground tanks beside our drinking water well field. Our town officials are asleep on this issue. A disaster waiting to happen. I think its time to oust our selectmen and protect our community.
Matt Schooley
8:04 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Kevin,
I'd like to give you a friendly reminder to not use the comments section to move off topic and attack others. Any comments that do so moving forward will be removed. Thank you.
Matt
Kevin MacDonald
8:54 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Matt, I believe this quake should be a wake up call to our local media that the threat of having fuel tanks rupture from an earthquake and taking out our drinking water supply is a real threat. I hope you and others will put pressure on the selectmen to protect our water by moving these tanks to a safe location.
Steve H
9:17 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Sounds like it is time to oust you. I'm sure the line would be a long one for that job.
Kathy B
8:11 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Hi I sure felt it on Ledgewood Rd, but my neighbor didn't feel it My mother in same house as me didn't feel it either.
Cynthia Costa
8:15 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
I felt it on Faulkner Ave.
Janus
8:24 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Dear Matt,
Thank you for this timely information. I thought a gas line ruptured. Great reporting.I can sleep easy now.
Tom R
9:05 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Whew! It was only an Earthquake! I thought it was Kevin McDonald opening his mouth and spewing his garbage again!
Matt Schooley
5:09 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
A comment has been removed for violating Patch's terms of use.
Pat
6:34 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
My husband and I had just finished eating dinner and first you heard the noise like a low rumbling and next we could feel the floor beneath our feet vibrating and my glasses in my china cabinet tingling as it slowly passed under the house and continued south. My husband and I looked at each other and said that was an earthquake! And sure enough within the minute I got the news bulletin on my phone. Just something we are not used too in this part of the country!
Melissa
8:07 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
My initial assumption was that my kids were up to something and making my house shake so I was yelling at them to cut it out only to walk into the room to see them sitting there watching TV wondering why I was yelling at them.....whoops :)
Brian Flynn
9:20 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
I was at work on 38 In wilmington and never felt it, yet my wife was at home in south Tewksbury right off 38 and she said she felt it.. i didnt believe her til I saw the news reports and Facebook,
Richard Jertz
9:52 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
My water did have an oily feel to it last night.
Melks2002
1:18 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
I felt it on Grove Ave...scarey house shook dog freaked....felt like train ran under my house