Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Earthquake NYC

Cat ready for evacuation.

First the chair shook, then it went on shaking, then I heard the building creaking and realized it was all going back and forth. Bits of plaster fell from the skylights.

I immediately blamed the major construction across the road and thought of sinkholes, and stuffed the howling cat in his pet carrier.

At 1.55pm I emailed our landlord: Brian, our building is shaking. May be construction across the road. No exaggeration. Shaking.

I grabbed clothes, found my wallet and passport, and all the while the creaks and cracklings continued in the roof and walls. Creepy. Called 311. Line busy, and then realized the shaking had stopped. My hands were trembling.

5.9

The real thing must be awful. Brian felt it, too. For once, tenant and landlord have bonded.
Posted by Marie at 2:34:00 PM
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19 comments:

  1. UnknownAugust 23, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    Horrible, horrible. Glad you are ok. xx

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  2. JanetAugust 23, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    Marie - fastest blog in the East! You are hereby ordered to report to the nearest battle front for active duty. Take passport and laptop. Leave Estorbo at home :):)

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  3. dinahmowAugust 23, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    Ouch! I'd have left the building.(with cat, of course)

    Is everything OK? No fractured pipes, loose wires, etc.

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  4. MimiAugust 23, 2011 at 3:41 PM

    YIKES!

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  5. JaneAugust 23, 2011 at 3:42 PM

    5.9 is pretty big - thinking of you, having experienced similar in Christchurch, NZ.

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  6. Paul WAugust 23, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    I wonder what makes it stronger in some places than others. We're just under 90 miles from Mineral, VA and it was just a little rumbling for us with some very mild shaking. Felt like a close train. Glad you guys are okay. You guys are WAY further away and had it way worse. Of course, I haven't been home yet...

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  7. IkaikaAugust 23, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    We are glad all is now well. Stay safe!

    'Kaika and Keli'i

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  8. webbAugust 23, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    Being on the top floor certainly didn't help the shaking. Glad all is well.

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  9. Ellen ZachosAugust 23, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    I would never have known. Glad you're ok.

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  10. MonicaAugust 23, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    =:o So glad that you are okay.

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  11. halfpintvtAugust 23, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    That's terrible...I would have been very scared. Stay safe.

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  12. AnonymousAugust 23, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    We even heard about it on BBC news!

    I'm glad you're all ok.

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  13. ValAugust 24, 2011 at 12:52 AM

    So glad all is okay.... I would have been very scared. Hope Storbie has settled. We did not feel it up here north of Toronto, but they did feel it there I've heard. I hope that's it for a while!

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  14. Karen BekkerAugust 24, 2011 at 2:21 AM

    Very scary- 5.9 is quite a shake up!

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  15. BrigitteAugust 24, 2011 at 5:09 AM

    Marie, can you believe I felt it all the way here. It lasted long and the building was literally swaying, pictures on the wall rattling and all. Quite an experience!!!

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  16. Denise at Autumn SkyAugust 24, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    I'm so glad you are ok. It is VERY unsettling, even here in California where we experience more earthquakes. And in those old buildings? Scary! The animals always know before we do. Keep Estorbo close as there will likely be aftershocks.

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  17. PamAugust 24, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    Wow, you really did feel it.
    What I don't get it that 20 miles west where we live in NJ we didn't feel a thing. Yet we are between you and the epicenter. Probably has something to do with being on a ridge but I don't understand how. But I was thinking about getting the cat carriers ready in case of another one.

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  18. MarieAugust 24, 2011 at 10:40 PM

    Amazing how far away it was felt - apparently because of the schist all the way up the eastern seaboard.

    And next time we know what to do, though it sure as hell goes against instinct. Don't leave the building. Drop and cover your head or get under a table (mattress?) But I will still house the cat in his box, if I can.

    Otherwise it is a storm in tea cup, I know, though for those of us who have never felt this before, very unsettling. I was thinking about it (obviously!): It's that the thing you take for granted, your solid house, suddenly comes alive, and makes sounds you have never heard before. The walls, the roof, and all over, all at once. The utterly dependable has turned on you.

    Most people who were outside did not feel it. Maybe because our bodies are very adaptable, and structures are not?

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  19. Bonbon OiseauAugust 25, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    ayayay! you really felt it Marie!

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