President Joe Biden insisted everything was under control in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck New Jersey, shook New York and grounded flights in the Northeast.
As he left the White House to tour the site of the collapsed Baltimore bridge, the 81-year-old told the press that he had spoken with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
“As for the earthquake; I’ve spoken to the governor, who thinks everything is under control, Biden said.
‘He’s not too worried about it. The Governor of New Jersey. So it’s going well.”
The magnitude 4.8 earthquake shook the densely populated New York City metropolitan area at 10:32 a.m. Friday, the US Geological Survey said. Biden was briefed a short time later and was in contact with governors in the tri-state area.
Donald Trump’s golf course in New Jersey was then rocked by a magnitude 2.0 aftershock.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the earthquake that hit New Jersey, roiled New York and forced authorities to urge people to stay indoors
The Trump National Golf Club Bedminster is less than seven miles from the epicenter of the earthquake and was rocked by an aftershock hours later. It is unclear whether the club suffered any damage.
There have been no initial reports of threats to life in the Northeast, but the USGS said there is a 46 percent chance that another earthquake of magnitude 3.0 or greater will occur in the next week.
Gov. Kathy Hochul provided an update shortly before noon, saying, “This is one of the largest earthquakes on the East Coast in the past century.”
She said her office is in contact with all relevant agencies to monitor any damage and structural integrity concerns, and that the White House has offered assistance.
The New York Fire Department said there have been no initial reports of damage and no injuries have been reported so far, but the FAA has ordered ground stops at John F Kennedy and Newark International Airports.
Trump visits his golf club in New Jersey, which he bought in 2002 and was even nicknamed the “Summer White House” during his presidency because of how often he stayed there.
New York Mayor Eric Adams said: “We all felt in one way or another the earthquake that struck our city around 10:23 a.m., we felt the impact of this magnitude 4.7 earthquake.
“This is an evolving situation, we always worry about aftershocks after an earthquake.
“First responders keep the city safe. Earthquakes don’t happen every day in New York, so this could be extremely traumatic.”
As he left the White House to tour the site of the collapsed Baltimore bridge, the 81-year-old told the press that he had spoken with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
A magnitude 4.8 earthquake shook the densely populated New York City metropolitan area shortly before 11 a.m. Friday morning, the US Geological Survey said.
He added: ‘Our preliminary reports indicate no major life safety or infrastructure issues as a result of the earthquake. We conduct thorough inspections in critical areas.
“I encourage New Yorkers to check on their loved ones to see if they are doing well. Not just because of the infrastructure situation, but because this can be extremely traumatic.”
People in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Connecticut and other parts of the Northeast reported shaking. Tremors lasting about 20 seconds were felt more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) away near the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border.
Social media users shared posts about the earthquake, which was also felt in New Jersey, Virginia and Philadelphia.
In a video from New Jersey, a dog suddenly sits up seconds before the rooms shake violently and items fall over.
In downtown Manhattan, the usual cacophony of traffic grew louder as motorists honked their horns through the temporarily shaking streets.
Some Brooklyn residents heard a booming sound and their building shook. At an apartment complex in Manhattan’s East Village, a resident from more earthquake-prone California calmed nervous neighbors.
An emergency alert came in shortly after 11 a.m. EST, about 40 minutes after the earthquake hit NJ
Hochul said, “A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck west of Manhattan and was felt throughout New York.
“My team is assessing the impact and any damage that may have occurred, and we will keep the public informed throughout the day.”
Officials have not identified any life-threatening situations but have asked law enforcement teams to be alert.
Hochul added: “We will continue to take this seriously. Everyone must continue to take this seriously. If there is an aftershock, people are encouraged to take cover and cover their necks.”
“Please stay away from buildings, especially our high-rises.”
President Biden has been briefed on the earthquake, according to the White House.