5.9 Magnitude Quake Hits East Coast

Update, 4:52 p.m.: Gov. Martin O'Malley released a statement on today's earthquake this afternoon, saying the state will remain vigilant about any dangers facing Marylanders.

"Presently, there are no reports of significant damage or incidents, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely, particularly over the next 24 to 48 hours," O'Malley said in the statement. "We will be paying close attention to our utilities for problems with water mains or gas lines that may not be present immediately following an earthquake."

Also, the Maryland Transit Administration is advising MARC riders of .

For more updates on the earthquake and its effects, be sure to follow Kensington Patch on Twitter.

Update, 3:37 p.m.: Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service's Capt. Oscar Garcia is reporting no major structural damages in the county and no significant reported injuries. He said MCFRS has received a few unconfirmed reports of water and gas line ruptures.

Update, 3:05 p.m.: Montgomery County has asked residents to call 911 only in the case of emergency.

The county is also advising residents to be aware of possible gas leaks in their homes, which have resulted from the earthquake. If you smell gas in your home or suspect a leak, leave immediately and find a secure place where you can call 911.

If you suspect a gas leak, the county advises you to obey the following tips:

• Don't light matches or smoke. Avoid use of all open flames
• Don't try to find the source of the leak yourself
• Don't use any electrical devices inside the house, including mobile phones
• Don't turn light switches on and off
• Don't re-enter the building or return to the area until authorities have declared it safe

Orignal story: The U.S. Geological Survey has confirmed that a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit the East Coast this afternoon, and tremors were felt here in Montgomery County and as far north as Manhattan, according to Twitter users.

The quake's epicenter is in central Virginia, according to USGS, and the service is warning of possible aftershocks.

Over on Twitter, people in Kensington are reporting loss of phone service and damage to high-shelved objects.

What's it like in your neighborhood? You can comment on this post, upload photos or e-mail me at Damian.Garde@patch.com

For more on this story on it develops, follow us on Twitter.