Community Corner

Howard County Shakes, Settles After Tuesday's Earthquake.

County officials say damage was minimal.

Following the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that shook Maryland on Tuesday, no serious incidents from police or fire personnel had been reported, said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman in a press release.

The Mall in Columbia was evacuated for a “sprinkler pipe incident" after the earthquake, said Ulman, but the mall was later deemed safe and patrons allowed to re-enter. He said there was also some structural damage to the school system's Applied Research Lab in Ellicott City.

As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the Department of Public Works reported there were minor damages overall countywide, said Kathy Sloan-Beard, spokeswoman for Howard County government.

Find out what's happening in Ellicott Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Some light fixtures were out at the county’s highway maintenance shop in Dayton and there was minor cracking at another facility, said Sloan-Beard, but “no compromise to structural integrity.”

Still, government officials warned residents of the potential for complications after-the-fact.

Find out what's happening in Ellicott Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Aftershocks are generally, but not always, of a lesser degree than the original earthquake, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

"These secondary shockwaves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures and can occur in the first hours, days, weeks, or even months after the quake," stated FEMA.

Ulman urged Howard County citizens to prepare for potential aftershocks in these ways:

  • Fasten shelves securely to walls
  • Store breakable items in low, closed cabinets with latches
  • Be aware of unusual smells of gas and other odors


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