A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck this morning between North Carolina and Virginia. The earthquake was reported near Sparta, North Carolina, just after 8:07 a.m. Sunday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The earthquake was felt by people stretching from northeast Georgia to Ohio and reportedly caused minor damage near the epicenter in Allegheny County, North Carolina.
Sherri Tipton Berrong is among those in Northeast Georgia who felt the quake. “Yes, I did feel it. Thought I imagined it, happy to know I’m not completely crazy!” she commented on Now Habersham’s Facebook page.
People in Alto, Baldwin, Commerce, Franklin County, Lakemont, Mt. Airy, Sautee, Toccoa, Turnerville, and Wiley were among those who reported feeling the earthquake. The USGS Did You Feel It (DYFI) survey map shows just how widespread of an area it impacted.
The mayor of Sparta declared a state of emergency Sunday afternoon, North Carolina news stations report. There were reports of a few minor injuries as well as some damage to homes, businesses, and a water main break.
This is the second strongest earthquake to occur in North Carolina since 1900, according to the National Weather Service. The strongest was a 5.2 magnitude earthquake near Skyland, North Carolina, in February 1916.
If you felt the earthquake this morning, you can report it to the USGS at https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/tellus.
