Earthquake Rocks Virginia: Reports of Damage in Richmond

A 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia rocked the Mid-Atlantic, with the White House, Pentagon, and other buildings evacuated in the Washington D.C. area.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake happened at 1:51 p.m. at a depth of 3.7 miles. The quake was centered 27 miles east of Charlottesville, Va. near the town of Mineral in Louisa County.

The movement lasted for no more than 30 seconds.

Residents in Northern Virginia described it like a freight train coming through the house.

The tremors were felt in New York City and as far away as Concord N.H. Tremors were also felt as far south as Chapel Hill, N.C.

The streets of downtown Washington filled with thousands of people Tuesday afternoon as buildings were evacuated.

There were no immediate reports of damage in Washington. However, The Richmond Times Dispatch reports that the Richmond police began receiving calls about possible property damage immediately after the event.

The quake - the largest in Virginia since May 5, 1897, according to the U.S. Geological Survey - shook buildings and employees were ordered outside across Richmond and other cities in Virginia.

It's unclear if there have been any injuries in Louisa County.

The epicenter is not far from Dominion Virginia Power's North Anna nuclear plant; there was no immediate word from the utility about the status of the facility.