OPM calls for early dismissal after earthquake

By Federal News Radio staff

The Office of Personnel Management called for an early dismissal Tuesday afternoon after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake shook the Washington region.

OPM also said federal employees should check the OPM website at 4 a.m. Wednesday for an operating status.

The Capitol, White House and Pentagon, among other federal buildings, were evacuated after the quake.

The earthquake was centered nine miles from Mineral, Virginia, which is 83 miles southwest of D.C. (See map below and check out the epicenter map from USGS.)

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was 3.7 miles deep. Shaking was felt all over the East Coast, as far south as Chapel Hill, N.C.

A spokesperson with the General Services Administration told Federal News Radio the agency is continuing to assess whether or not any federal buildings are damaged.

The Smithsonian evacuated all of its museums. As of 2:30 p.m., people were not yet allowed to go back inside the museums. The U.S. Park Service has evacuated and closed all National Mall monuments and memorials.

FEMA said cell service is busy in D.C. and advises people to stay off their cell phones. According to a FEMA release, “We request that members of the public use email or text messages if possible to communicate for the next few hours, except in cases of emergency, so that emergency officials can continue to receive and respond to urgent calls.”

Commute

All D.C.-area airports are operating normally, reports Federal News Radio sister station WTOP.

Metro trains are running at a reduced speed of 15 miles per hour. For regional customers, MARC and Virginia Railway Express service is temporarily suspended.

Reuters reports that Amtrak is operating trains at reduced speeds between Baltimore and Washington Tuesday while crews inspect tracks, stations and other rail infrastructure. There were no injuries and passengers should expect delays.

The earthquake is the largest recorded in the state of Virginia since a 5.9 earthquake on May 5, 1897, according to USGS.

The quake came a day after an earthquake in Colorado toppled groceries off shelves and caused minor damage to homes in the southern part of the state and in northern New Mexico. No injuries were reported as aftershocks continued Tuesday.

D.C. officials say small aftershocks have been reported. FEMA warns to expect aftershocks in the first hours, days, weeks, or even months after the quake. Check out FEMA’s earthquake tip sheet.

About the MeriTalk conference audio
The conference included a panel with NASA CIO Linda Cureton, NASA CTO Tom Soderstrom (moderator) and Interior CIO Bernard Mazer. The audio above is an excerpt from the conference at the time of the earthquake. In the audio, you can hear ceiling tiles fall and the initial reaction of those on the panel.

Email us your post-earthquake pics!

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