The SBDR email newsletter, which has been occupied with tornadoes and flooding in recent months and, now, the impending Hurricane Irene, noted of the 5.8-magnitude quake:
"Mickey Caison , who was in Washington for meetings with National VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), says 'we felt a lot of shaking, but we're alright.' Though some places in the nation's capital were evacuated, the National VOAD staff resumed their work. Several airports halted operations briefly but after inspection of runways and buildings flights continued. So violent was the East Coast quake that the morning news' mention of the earthquake in southern Colorado was quickly forgotten."
The update also noted: "The news took a hiatus from everything else for a while on Tuesday as everyone started talking, tweeting and texting about the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that struck near Richmond, VA. At this time it seems that all is well. A spokesman with the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, has reported some damage there and buildings, bridges and other structures are being checked for damage. … In this age of cell phones and instant messaging, phone and Internet service across much of the northeast bogged down as social media exploded with the news of the earthquake outside of Richmond, VA."
Baptist Press checked with the International Mission Board in Richmond and learned that a few seconds of shaking were felt, the building was evacuated, but staff members returned to their offices after about five minutes.
Compiled by Baptist Press editor Art Toalston.
Copyright (c) 2011 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press www.BPNews.net
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