DAMAGE: this is White's Foodliner in #Pawnee. 1building collapsed there. #earthquake. LIVE on @FOX23 #okwx pic.twitter.com/TPd8vpIzyL
— KAKE Morgan Downing (@MorganDowningTV) September 3, 2016
A huge earthquake has hit central United States, affecting at least four states while Americans were enjoying Labour Day weekend.
The quake measured in at 5.6 magnitude on the Richter scale and struck central Oklahoma, with its effects felt as far as Chicago, 800 miles away.
M5.8 #earthquake strikes 123 km NE of Oklahoma City (#Oklahoma) 8 min ago. Effects reported by witnesses: pic.twitter.com/sh7Q2XSF28
— EMSC (@LastQuake) September 3, 2016
Residents in the states of Missouri, Arkansas and Iowa also reported feeling the earthquake at roughly 7.05am local time, The Daily Star reports.
Early reports suggest that homes had been destroyed in Pawnee, Oklahoma, with one Twitter user saying her great-grandma’s house collapsed during the earthquake.
My family is from Pawnee Oklahoma which is where the earthquake was and we're positive that my great-grandma's house crumbled bc it's so old
— abby!! (@skywayaveniall) September 3, 2016
Others were also quick to take to Twitter to recount their experiences:
I JUST WOKE UP TO AN EARTHQUAKE THAT WAS SO TERRIFYING I THOUGHT A DEMON WAS SHAKING MY BED OR SOMETHING
OK MOTHER NATURE THIS IS FINE
— whitney atkinson ? (@whittynovels) September 3, 2016
Hell of a thing for an earthquake to be felt from Chicago to Dallas.
— Lesley ? (@hacks4pancakes) September 3, 2016
I've never felt an earthquake until now and it's scary as hell tbh
— Rae (@raemp1526) September 3, 2016
Oklahoma officials have issued earthquake advice reminding people to stay indoors and to be aware of aftershocks:
Be prepared in case aftershocks: https://t.co/Ee1396NZ5z | https://t.co/AlaQTYgJ4F ?#okquake https://t.co/IoBwGmI44O
— City of OKC (@cityofokc) September 3, 2016
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed:
There has been a very substantial earthquake with aftershocks going on for several minutes.
Back in February, there was a 5.1 earthquake measured in Oklahoma which was the third largest ever felt in Kansas City.
More to follow.
