Philadelphia Police have issued a statement urging residents to only call 911 in case of emergencies following a 4.8 magnitude earthquake that struck New Jersey on Friday. The police department took to Twitter to address the situation, stating that they are aware of multiple reports of seismic activity across the city.
The tweet emphasized the importance of reserving 911 calls for emergencies only, as the authorities work to assess the impact of the earthquake. Philadelphia Governor Josh Shapiro also weighed in on the situation, confirming that the earthquake was felt in parts of Pennsylvania.
Shapiro assured the public that his team, along with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), is actively monitoring the situation and maintaining communication with counties to assess any potential damage. He pledged to keep Pennsylvanians informed as more information becomes available.
The earthquake, which originated in New Jersey, caused tremors that were felt in neighboring states, including Pennsylvania. While there have been reports of seismic activity, there have been no immediate reports of significant damage or injuries in the region.
Authorities are urging residents to remain calm and vigilant, and to only contact emergency services if they are facing a genuine emergency. The situation is being closely monitored, and updates will be provided as the assessment continues.