How to check for earthquake damage to your home
First responders and firefighters check houses after an earthquake on Friday, April 5, 2024, in Lebanon, New Jersey. A 4.8 magnitude earthquake was felt in the Northeast with no reported injuries, but many people reported visible shaking in buildings and homes. (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)
An earthquake happened Friday morning in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, which caused shaking across eastern Pennsylvania and beyond.
While no damage has been reported as of Friday afternoon, officials are urging residents to report any earthquake damage they may discover to their local municipalities.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has a guide with tips to spot damage caused by earthquakes.
FEMA recommends looking for the following things to spot earthquake damage in homes:
- Examine the outside of the building for collapse or obvious movement of the foundation.
- Check the ground for areas where it may have been shifted.
- Is the floor or roof pulling away or separated from building supports?
- Check for newer or bigger cracks in drywall, stucco or plaster. “Stair step” or “X” shapes in cracks are a clear indicator of earthquake damage.
- Does the floor feel bouncy, soggy or mushy when walking on it? That may indicate damage underneath the floor.
- Check for signs of cracks in the chimney’s mortar.
- Inspect stairs for stability.
- Check to see if windows or doors are newly jammed or blocked.
- Inspect crawlspaces, stairwells, basements and attics for exposed or cracked beams, roof leaks or foundation leaks.
- Check connections at furnace and water heaters.
- Check for sewage and water line damage.
How common are earthquakes in eastern PA and why was the New Jersey earthquake felt so far away?
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