A strong earthquake hit the East Coast of the United States that was felt from Georgia to Canada. It was the most powerful quake to hit the area in decades. No major damage, deaths or injuries were reported as millions of workers were sent home early. This resulted into a large traffic jam hours before the usual rush hour. earthquake

According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake measured 5.8, which is unusual for the region. There were reports that some homes and buildings suffered minor damages, such as falling masonry at the Nation Cathedral in Washington.

The National Park Service announced that most memorials and monuments at the National Mall have reopened after they were temporarily closed. The only exemption is the Washington Monument, where engineers found cracks near the top.

The strong earthquake forced the ten nuclear power plants in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia to shut down as part of their precautionary measure. The Pentagon and the United States Capitol were also evacuated.

Although there were no major damages, the earthquake is a nuisance to a lot of people. 400 flights in New York and Washington areas were delayed; traffic was heavy; and cellular telephone services in several states were jammed after the quake.