MD State Police Ready to Help; No Reports of Serious Injuries After Quake

Maryland State Police say that personnel at all barracks throughout the state reported feeling the earthquake this afternoon.

However, as of 2:30 p.m., there had been no reports of serious injuries, according to a state police news release.

" officials are in contact with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and other state reponse agencies," the release stated. "Response efforts will be coordinated with MEMA per established state emergency response procedures."

The earthquake, a 5.9 on the Richter scale, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, originated in Virginia. .

State police are assessing whether there are injuries or major damage, the release stated.

"Helicopters are safe and have been moved out of their hangars as a precation, and crews are standing by their aircraft, ready to fly emergency missions," the release states.

Also, Maryland State Police Special Operations Division personnel are on standby at their posts, including the K-9 Unit, state search team, among others.

Baltimore Cpounty's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has opened the Emergency Operations Center, according to a news release.

So far, they too have no reports of serious damage or injuries.

Emergency management officials are monitoring the situation, the release states.

As a precaution, county authorities encourage people to avoid the use of elevators for the next few hours.

Follow @BACOemergency on Twitter for updates throughout this event. The phone number for the EOC is 410-887-2971.