RSS 2.0 FeedAugust 26, 2011, Merrick Life
All shook up: Shake, rattle and roll in the Merricks
Despite earthquake, newspaper production does not slow down,
What were you doing when the 5.8 magnitude earthquake shook the East Coast on Tuesday afternoon? Most everyone felt it, thinking what’s going on. Merrick? Earthquake? Not possible! Turns out an act of nature did take place, shaking the ground leaving many people evacuating their buildings and homes.
Suddenly I felt the Earth under my chair trembling and swaying but my chair was not moving. Was I imagining this? My instinct was quickly get up to see if my co-workers felt the same swaying under their chairs. They did, as we all looked at each other dumfounded, the first words were, “We are out of here.”
Outside we saw others along Merrick Avenue exiting their businesses and homes with the same inquisitive look on their faces. A dog in a residence was howling, also feeling the effects of the tremor. Scary, we didn’t think this could happen here, but I guess anything can happen. Are we prepared enough for the unexpected? Most people are not.
Cell phone lines were clogged as people texted and called their friends and families to see if they were okay and if they too felt it. Verizon Wireless and AT&T said their networks were congested as the quake sent people scrambling for their phones.
The one thing that did happen, that I didn’t know occurs when there is an earthquake, is the slight nauseous, dizzy and disoriented feeling I had for about two hours after. My co-workers experienced the same feeling. I’m assuming it has something to do with vertigo.
We were able to continue working though until it disappeared. We had to get a newspaper to print.
The County of Nassau had sent recorded emergency calls to homes in Nassau County explaining what had happened and what damage, if any, to look for. They also warned of the potential hurricane approaching this weekend and how to prepare. Are you prepared? Remember, anything can happen. You never know.
All I can tell you is, don’t watch “Earthquake in New York” on YouTube.
