The National Geographical Survey has confirmed an earthquake in the Metro East at 4:37 a.m. this morning. The quake registered at 5.4 on the Richter Scale and is believed to have been centered near Evansville, Ind., about 120 miles east of Monroe County.

Locally, the shaking caused dishes to rattle in homes for about 20 seconds, but there is no initial report of any major damage.

Additional information will follow as reports come in.

 

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Nearly four hours after the earthquake, there are no reports of any major damage. It is now being listed as 5.2 on the Richter scale, downgraded from the original report of 5.4.

A tree fell about the same time as the earthquake on Route 158 blocking traffic between old town and new town Valmeyer. It is not sure if the seismic activity caused the tree to fall. IDOT road crews quickly had the tree removed from the roadway.

Former Valmeyer resident Julie Unterseh lives in Evansville, Ind., near the epicenter of the quake, and reported to her family she is doing fine. In a phone call this morning to her mother, Susan, Julie said initially she it felt like a big gust of wind coming through the apartment. Then the entire room began to shake. Julie believes nothing was damaged in her apartment.