Crime & Safety

Earthquake Prompts Evacuation of County Schools

Prince George's County Schools evacuated after 5.8-magnitude earthquake.

5:30 P.M. UPDATE: 

Prince George's County officials are reporting the following after a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck the region earlier today:

  • Five high rise apartment buildings in the 3200 block of Curtis Drive in Temple Hills have been evacuated due to structural concerns, one building at 3208 Curtis Drive has been condemned. 
  • 37 schools with minor damage
  •  County Courthouse in Upper Marlboro with a noticeable crack in wall
  • County Administration Building (CAB) has been inspected and cleared

3:45 P.M. UPDATE: Service at all MARC Train stations have been suspended. 

Find out what's happening in Laurelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • City of Laurel is reporting no significant damage.
  • WSSC reports no damage to water mains throughout system.

3:40 P.M. UPDATE: Police and school officials are on scene at Northwestern High School as students in full uniform remain outside after a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit the region Tuesday.

Officers from the Hyattsville City Police and University Park Police are helping traffic along Adelphi Road and helping parents coming early to pick up students find parking. 

Find out what's happening in Laurelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Many students are finding comfort in the shade. Several parents said that although they weren't called by school officials to pick up students, they decided to come get them anyway. The school won't dismiss officially until 4:10 p.m.

3:30 P.M. UPDATE: Mall at Prince George's Plaza, UTC development in Hyattsville evacuated. Students at Northwestern High in Hyattsville remain evacuated.

UPDATE: Reports of structural damage due to a 5.9 magnitude earthquake coming in from communities in Oxon Hill, College Park, and other areas in Prince George's County.

Original Story

Prince George's County Public Schools have evacuated all buildings after a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck the region.

There were no reported injuries, according to a news release from county schools.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake struck around 1:51 p.m., with the epicenter in Virginia.

CNN reports the quake was felt in the Washington, D.C. region, as well as in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New York, and on Martha's Vineyard where President Barack Obama is vacationing.

Locally communities in Laurel, College Park, and Hyattsville all reported the quake. Workers and residents in building said they fled and remained evacuated from buildings until crews could inspect the building.

Stick with Laurel Patch on Twitter for instant updates @LaurelPatch or on Facebook @facebook.com/laurelpatch. 


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