Hochul orders state infrastructure review, assessment after earthquake

Gov. Kathy Hochul has ordered all state agencies to review critical infrastructure and assess the potential for damage following the 4.8-magnitude earthquake and subsequent aftershocks that shook New York City, upstate New York and Massachusetts on Friday morning.

Over the past 24 hours, the U.S. Geological Survey has detected at least 25 aftershocks in Central New Jersey, many of which have been felt in New York City and across the region.

“My top priority is keeping people safe, and I have directed State personnel to take all necessary precautions following yesterday’s historic earthquake,” Gov. Hochul said. “At this time, we are aware of no injuries and minimal damage from this earthquake. We will continue monitoring the situation and updating New Yorkers as necessary.”

According to Hochul, the New York State Watch Center is in enhanced monitoring mode and continues to track seismic activity, the Department of Transportation reports no immediate damage to its infrastructure, the Department of Public Service reports no issues and or trouble indicators because of the earthquake on the electric, natural gas or steam systems, and there were no impacts to New York Power Authority’s transmission assets resulting from the earthquake.

The governor, in a press conference Friday, said an earthquake of this magnitude had not been felt in New York since 2011. The morning earthquake was followed by multiple aftershocks, including a 1.8-magnitude at 12:31 p.m., 2.0-magnitude at 1:14 p.m., a 2.0-magnitude at around 3 p.m. and the 4.0-magnitude one.