Confirmed Earthquake Shakes Otsego County, New York

An earthquake was not on my April Bingo card.

Did you feel it? Right around 10:30am on April 5th, 2024, residents across our region felt the ground shake. I was at the WZOZ microphone when the shaking began. At the time I wasn't sure if it was a quake or construction in downtown Oneonta.

Reports from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the quake. According to the organization, the rumbles were felt across New York and New Jersey. The earthquake's origin according to USGS is just outside Lebanon, New Jersey. The earthquake was measured at a magnitude of 4.8 on the Richter Scale.

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Reports flooded in almost immediately on social media. Friends as far south as New Jersey extending into Schoharie county posted on social media about their experience. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said on Facebook: "A 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit west of Manhattan and has been felt throughout New York. My team is assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day."

WBNG meteorologist Howard Magnes confirmed the quake on his official Facebook page, and said that a quake measuring at 4.8 is considered large for our region. No reports of injuries or damage have been reported as of yet. Earthquakes in our area are uncommon but not rare. People in New York City felt the shaking, and thought that a subway train was rolling through beneath them. A meeting at the United Nations was briefly paused after the quake.

We'll keep this updated if and when new news breaks - or if there are aftershocks!