Marple Newtown Residents Share Earthquake Stories

A tremor of 15 to 30 seconds shook and , and reportedly much of the northeast United States, about 1:55 p.m. Tuesday.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 5.8-magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia happened at 1:51 p.m.

Various media accounts on Twitter reported feeling the quake several states away.

Several residents and community members in the Marple Newtown Patch area have tweeted or shared their experiences of the earthquake this afternoon on Facebook.

Michele Matteo Czerpak, of Newtown Square, shared on Facebook,  "We live on the 2nd floor of a building in Newtown Square and our chandelier was swaying pretty good! Scary! Me reacting to an earthquake is like a Floridian acting to a foot a snow. We just don't see it!"

Neighborhood diner also shared, "Earthquake felt in Broomall. Whole restaurant shook!"

also reported, "SURVIVED EARTHQUAKE that hit this afternoon, as some patrons watched shelves shake and felt building move others were oblivious, and all is well."

SEPTA reports that it had temporarily suspended service on its regional rail system, including the Paoli-Thorndale Line to inspect tracks. SEPTA tweeted at 2:49 p.m that service was resuming but delays should be expected on the regional rail lines.

PennDOT tweeted at 2:36 p.m. that it was sending inspectors out to check bridges and roadways.

Philadelphia International Airport was briefly shutdown while runways were inspected. It is now open, 6abc reports. 

To read more on-the-scene coverage of the earthquake read Fredericksburg Patch here.