UPDATE: Virginia Earthquake Felt in Manchester, Lakehurst

Manchester felt the effects of a Virginia earthquake at about 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, as the  said that they were "overwhelmed" with calls while employees at the evacuated their offices.

The quake registered a magnitude 5.9, upgraded from an original report of 5.8, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, which tracks earthquakes. It was centered in Mineral, Virginia, southwest of Washington D.C., in the center of the state.

Capt. Lisa Parker said that the quake was felt in various locations throughout the township for about one minute, but no emergency calls have resulted from the tremor and no damage has been reported.

"Everything is business as usual," she said.

Parker asked that residents do not dial 911 lines to inquire about the quake so that they can remain available for emergency calls.

Township clerk Sabina Skibo said that municipal offices were evacuated for about 10 minutes following the quake before Manchester's emergency management office said it was safe for employees to return inside. Once back at their desks, Skibo said that residents inundated her office with calls and walk-in visits to find out what happened.

"The phones were ringing off the hook at town hall," she said. "It was scary. It's not an everyday way of life for us."

Skibo was one of many who reported trouble placing cell phone calls following the quake. She said that after repeated attempts to contact family in Ocean City by phone, she resorted to email.

Tremors were also felt in Lakehurst, which is a borough surrounded by Manchester.

A statement issued by Gov. Chris Christie said that the state's Office of Emergency Management is monitoring the situation and is receiving updates from the U.S. Geological Survey.

"At this time, no injuries or fatalities have been reported and there are no reports of damage to the state’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges, dams, reservoirs, power grids, transit systems and nuclear power plants," the statement reads.

In Ocean County, Donna Flynn, director of the Public Information Division, said in an email that there have been no reports of structural damage or other issues in the county.

"All county facilities are up and running at this time," she said.

Many took to Facebook and Twitter in the moments after the tremors to share their experience. The surprise of an quake in the area seemed to be the most commonly expressed sentiment.

"I thought my pot rack was going to come off the ceiling," Cheri Lake-Brister wrote on the Manchester Patch Facebook page. "The wood blinds were also moving...Did not like it at all!"

Claudia Barnett Mills also left a comment, saying that she noticed "a definite shaking."

"Our chairs started swaying and the birdhouse wind chimes also were swaying," she wrote.

Jersey Central Power and Light reported at about 3 p.m. that there have been no interruptions in service in Manchester, though 500 or fewer customers in Brick, Lakewood and Seaside Park may be without power.

The Oyster Creek Generating Station in Lacey is taking necessary precautionary measures after the quake.

Once the seismic event was verified the plant went into an unusual event, which is considered the lowest level of their emergency plan, spokesperson Suzanne D’Ambrosio said. This activates the plant’s emergency response organization and emergency response procedures.

“While in the usual event, the plant operators and emergency personnel will walk the entire site to make sure nothing was affected by seismic event itself,” she said.

The plant is still at full power and the plant will be able to provide further information on the impact of the earthquake once it becomes available.

“Every other nuclear plant that felt the seismic event up and down the Mid-Atlantic will be taking the same procedures,” D’Ambrosio said.

The earthquake felt throughout the region today matches the largest earthquake ever recorded in Virginia. The last was in 1897 and located in Giles County, Virginia. It also registered a 5.9 magnitude, according to the geological survey.

Meteorologists from the Mount Holly office of the National Weather Service said no tsunami warnings have been triggered from the quake.

Mitchell Gaines, of the Mount Holly office, said no warnings have been triggered, though he declined to say whether a tsunami warning could be in the offing.

"I cannot comment on that at this time,'' Gaines said. "We have not received any tsunami warnings at this time.''

According to the Federal Emergency Management Association, New Jersey ranks low on the list of states at risk for experiencing an earthquake.

Earthquake hazards are measured as the likelihood of experiencing earthquake shaking of various intensities, according to FEMA. Northern New Jersey is put in a category that's low on the list and described as "having a hazard shaking of moderate intensity," which could be felt by all and could lead to slight damage.

Southern New Jersey is put in a category described as having "a small probability of experiencing damaging earth­quake effects."

The USGS is asking those who felt the earthquake to fill out an online survey to assist their information gathering.

With additional reporting by Elaine Piniat, Local Editor of Lacey Patch, Keith Brown, Local Editor of Wall Patch, and Patch staff.