Kentucky earthquake shakes things up in Southern Illinois

An earthquake in western Kentucky shook things up in southern Illinois and across the region early Friday, causing minor damage.

An earthquake measuring 4.5 in magnitude erupted one mile south of Blandville, Ky., at 7:29 a.m. CDT, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter is about 15 miles south of Cairo at Illinois' southern tip.

It was felt as far west as St. Louis' western suburbs, as far north as Alton and as far east as Evansville, Ind., according to the USGS. Residents in Arkansas, Tennessee and Alabama also reported feeling the quake.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency said no one was injured and there were no reports of Illinois damage. There were no early reports of injuries in other states, either.

But the earthquake cracked sidewalks, broke windows and knocked pictures off walls in western Kentucky, said Donna Laird, the emergency management director for Carlisle County in that state.

And it jolted some in Cairo awake Friday morning, including Alexander County's emergency services coordinator, Bobby Mayberry.

"Something fell off the dresser in my bedroom and made the house shake," Mayberry said. "I've felt earthquakes before, and this was far the strongest."

Although the Cairo Police Department's emergency services coordinator fielded 35 to 40 phone calls from worried residents Friday morning, everyone was OK, said Marty Nicholson.

"It was a good wake-up call," she said. "We need to be prepared for these things."

Guetterman Brothers. 618-734-1180

Guetterman Brothers.

Linda Sullivan, bookeeper, Guetterman Motors, in Cairo, Ill. "I was in Wickliffe, before I came to work. I had just sat down on the side of the bed to dry my hair and I thought it was the cat. Thought it had to be something other than that."

Not shaking. Just noticed the bed vibrating.

No, not really. It was almost over before I was certain what it was. Got a clal, from a friend, who said" Did you feel that."

661-9211

30 miles from Cape

Carpet Corner.

Courtney's. 661-1644

Stephanie Burton, 18, waitress. Live at Tamms. Work at Courtney's. We thought it was equipment. WOrking by road. We just felt the ground, you know how somebody's sitting there, moving knee you can feel it moveing. It felt like that. We all thought it was tractors.

Slight.

Courtney's.

Just the one talking to.

901-678-2007

Gary Patterson. About 7:29 a.m., 4.5 earthquake about 13 miles south of Cairo in Western Ky.

generally start feeling it 2.5 and start getting nonstructural damage around 4. Definitely large enough to cause nonserious.

Out of the Western Kentucky Courier

Certainly possible. Internet site. Jackson, Tenn., all the way to St. Louis. I would say without a doubt, especially people who live on soft soil.

I don't know aqny scientists who say they know anything. Nobody thought this is a precurors or that any of the activity is out of the ordinary. Antoehr, it all averages out. Statistics, doesn't look lik eanything that cause alamr.

Reminder taht this is earthquake coutnry. Damaging earthquakes happen repeatedly and will likely occur again. Don't know were or when exactly. Just history is enough to know we should be concerned. Buliding.

Reporters got photos of damage. Some little town. Damage.

informations services, geologist.

Originally thought 3.8.

Been sold a good long while ago. Sold it to Nip Kelly. Talk out.

Don't have Center for Earthquake Studies.

Dr. Nick Tibbs, geosciences. 651-2515. OVer center for earthquake studies.