A 5.0 magnitude earthquake has shaken parts of New South Wales, forcing schools to evacuate and causing damage to homes. The epicentre of the quake was near the mining town of Denman, about 250km north of Sydney, at 10km deep just after 12pm. The quake, which was initially reported as having a magnitude of 5.0, was later revised to 4.8. There was also a 2.9 magnitude aftershock at 12.15pm, according to Geoscience Australia.
“The tremor…it was a massive earthquake, the whole house rattled,” a listener told 2GB.
“The whole car was rocking around,” another said.
Schools Evacuated, Power Outages Reported
Muswellbrook South Public School sent a message to parents saying the students had been evacuated.
“Muswellbrook South Public School staff and students have safely evacuated to our top oval awaiting further instruction,” the message read.
St James Primary School also sent a message out to parents, saying the school had no power.
“We are all ok. Out on MacKillop [street]. We have no power so if you can please come and get your kids,” the message read.
More than 2500 customers in Muswellbrook, Denman, Jerrys Plains, Bureen, Bengalla, have reported power outages to Ausgrid following the quake.
Damage to Homes and Buildings
Panels on the roof of a local Aldi fell, as did stock at a nearby Mitre 10.
There have been six calls for assistance to the SES in both Muswellbrook and Maitland for minor damage.
Dams in the area were not compromised by the quake, NSW Police confirmed.
Tremors Felt Across the Region
The earthquake was felt across a large area of New South Wales, with reports coming in from as far away as Dubbo, Newcastle, and Sydney.
Residents in Muswellbrook described the earthquake as a “massive earthquake” that caused their homes to rattle and shake.
People in Sydney reported feeling their buildings shake, with some saying they thought it was a truck hitting their building.
Social Media Reactions
On social media, residents shared their experiences of the earthquake, with many describing the feeling of their homes shaking and furniture moving.
One resident in Muswellbrook said that she was too scared to move during the earthquake. “There was this boom and the whole house and the front fell off the air conditioner,” she said. “I wasn't game to move because I didn't know what else would fall down. My legs are still like jelly and I've got a neighbour here who's exactly the same. It was a bit frightening, actually, but I knew straight away it was an earthquake.”
No Major Injuries Reported
NSW Ambulance confirmed that no major injuries had been reported as a result of the earthquake.
The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed that there is no tsunami risk to Australia.
The earthquake is a reminder of the potential for seismic activity in Australia. While earthquakes are not as common in Australia as they are in other parts of the world, they can still cause significant damage and disruption.
The Aftermath: Assessing the Impact
In the aftermath of the earthquake, the focus is now on assessing the damage and providing support to those affected.
The State Emergency Service (SES) is working to assess the damage to homes and buildings, and to provide assistance to those who have been displaced.
Ausgrid is working to restore power to the more than 2,500 customers who have been affected by the earthquake.
The earthquake is a reminder of the importance of being prepared for natural disasters. It is important to have a plan in place for what to do in the event of an earthquake, and to know how to stay safe during an earthquake.
The earthquake was felt across a large area of New South Wales, but luckily there were no major injuries. It is a reminder that earthquakes can occur anywhere, and that it is important to be prepared.
This is a developing story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
