Thousands of people were evacuating buildings across the Washington, D.C., area on Tuesday after a moderate earthquake miles away in Virginia that was also felt in New York City and as far south as Chapel Hill, N.C.

 

A Magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Virginia Tuesday afternoon, sending tremors along the East Coast of the United States. The earthquake’s epicenter was between Charlottesville and Richmond, Va., the USGS reported. It was 3.7 miles deep.

The U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon and other buildings were evacuated. At the U.S. Capitol, light fixtures swung and the building shook for about 15 seconds while the tremor hit, NBC News reported.

Government buildings in the New York City, including City Hall, were evacuated. The 26-story federal courthouse in lower Manhattan began swaying and hundreds of people were seen leaving the building. Court officers weren't letting people back in.

Government buildings in the city, including City Hall, were evacuated. The 26-story federal courthouse in lower Manhattan began swaying and hundreds of people were seen leaving the building.

A mild tremor was even felt by NBC reporters with President Barack Obama during his vacation on Martha's Vineyard, an island off Massachusetts.

Live video from WUSA in Washington D.C.:

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