This is going to be an interesting day here in Toronto and Ontario I think.
At approximately 1:41 pm there was a 5.5 earthquake on the Ontario Quebec border – about 60 km north of Ottawa. It was apparently felt in Ohio, New York State and most of Southern Ontario and in Montreal.
Just to give you an idea of how strong it was I’m in Toronto – a five hour drive from Ottawa and I felt the earthquake at approximately 1:43 pm. Everything in my house was shaking. Something was making a flapping noise during the tremors – maybe my plasma TV on it’s stand? or our air conditioners in their windows? I’m not sure.
I hate to admit this, but I was in the washroom, sitting on the toilet, when the tremors occurred. My knees started hitting the cabinet in front of me. The shaking lasted for about 30 seconds. I ran downstairs just as the shaking was calming down to see if everything was ok.
My husband called me from work approximately 1 minute after the shaking stopped here in Toronto. I just answered the phone with “Yep, it was a quake”. He said everything was shaking in the hospital as well.
Why did I say it was going to be an interesting day here in Toronto and maybe a good part of Ontario? Well … it’s quite hot and humid and sometime late this afternoon those of us here in Southern Ontario through to Ottawa are expecting severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, hail and possibly tornadoes.
So depending upon what happens today, weather wise, it’s only just getting started.
I sure hope we don’t have any Tornadoes. Last year, in August, we had a tornado that actually came through part of downtown Toronto. Now that was scary!
Stay safe!
I was gardening and didn’t feel a thing , I feel so left out , how rare is an earth quake and I miss it right under my nose.
You were caucaught at a bad time!
That is a huge quake. It spanned miles? And I mean more than just a few. Wow!
OMG earthquakes are horrible! Here in Mexico, the last earthquake the police give me this information:
During an Earthquake
If you’re indoors, stay there. Get under — and hold onto –a desk or table, or stand against an interior wall. Stay clear of exterior walls, glass, heavy furniture, fireplaces and appliances. The kitchen is a particularly dangerous spot. If you’re in an office building, stay away from windows and outside walls and do not use the elevator.
If you’re outside, get into the open. Stay clear of buildings, power lines or anything else that could fall on you.
If you’re driving, move the car out of traffic and stop. Avoid parking under or on bridges or overpasses. Try to get clear of trees, light posts, signs and power lines. When you resume driving, watch out for road hazards.
If you’re in a mountainous area, beware of the potential for landslides. Likewise, if you’re near the ocean, be aware that tsunamis are associated with large earthquakes. Get to high ground.
If you’re in a crowded public place, avoid panicking and do not rush for the exit. Stay low and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.
I have family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who said that they felt it all the way there! Amazing what the earth is capable of!
My 6 year old niece felt in in the Ottawa/Hull region and called me to say “Hey Uncle, I woke up cuz the house was all wiggly”.
Scary stuff!
One of my biggest fears: earthquakes 🙁
I have some friends in Ottawa and they got real scared, no wonder, a 5.5 can shake you up quite hard. Let’s hope it won’t happen again anytime soon.
It’s amazing how far away a tremor can be felt from. We don’t often have quakes here in the UK but we did have one last year. It was my first ever earthquake experience. The epicentre was over 5 hours in a car but I could feel the whole bed shaking for about 5 minutes.
Ste