Quake Shake: M'town Alarming Moment

Yes, it really was the earth moving under area people's feet.

At about 1:50 p.m. people going about their daily business felt a tremor that shook furniture enough to make you feel like you're sitting on an automated massage chair and rattle the coffee cup enough to spur a few ripples and waves in the leftover morning brew.

Some reported running out of their houses, not knowing what to think. Others reported a sense of panic and the fear that buildings were about to collapse.

"Our whole building on felt like it was coming down," said Marelna Brothers Frank on Facebook.

What they felt were tremors emanating from from an actual earthquake that measured 5.9 on the Richter scale in Mineral, Va., just outside of Washington, D.C., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

were flooded with calls, as was the 911 dispatch center for Monmouth County. "Yes the 9-1-1 communications center experienced a high volume of 9-1-1 calls," said Cynthia Scott, public information officer for the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office. "The number of 9-1-1 calls received is not available yet ..."

, at Route 35 and Kings Highway, also sustained some ceiling damage from the quake's tremors, according to Middletown Township Fire Department officials.

Captain David D'Arcy reported the following, after returning from the call:

"At approximately 2:15 p.m. on Aug. 23, following the effects of the Virginia earthquake, the Middletown Township Fire Department was dispatched to the Sears store on (state) Route 35 for a reported ceiling collapse.

Assistant Fire Chiefs John D’Altilio and Peter Laimann and Engine 210 (Station 11 — Old Village Fire Co.) arrived on scene and investigated the incident.

Several ceiling tiles fell from the ceiling when a small amount of loose debris became dislodged from above the drop ceiling. Firefighters conducted a thorough check of the building and found no major damage.

The building did sustain minor superficial damage to a decorative exterior column. No employees or customers were injured during the earthquake. Ladder 180 (Station 8) and the Special Service Emergency Response Team also responded and assisted with the incident."

Patch is in contact with Middletown's Office of Emergency Management, police and fire officials, and will keep you updated. Keep checking back to see updates on this story.

Tell us what your experience was in the comments box.