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It's The First Anniversary Of The East Coast Earthquake

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - One year ago today, many of us in the New York City area and down the east coast felt the Earth move under our feet.

LISTEN: Looking Back At The Earthquake
(Produced by WCBS 880's Alex Silverman)

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An 5.8 magnitude earthquake that came from three to four miles beneath a central Virginia town of fewer than 500 people sent out shockwaves to millions.

It is believed to have been felt more people than any other earthquake in U.S. history.

RELATED: WCBS 880 Tri-State Top 11 Of 2011: No. 4 – Earthquake

There was extensive damage to the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. and the Washington Monument is still closed to the public.

All told, there was more than $200 million in damage, but most was minor, as evidenced by this photo, circulated widely on the internet that afternoon (though in fact it may just be some old photo of a chair knocked over).

Earthquake Table Chairs
(credit: jmckinley via brandimpact.wordpress.com)

 

It did, however, change the way officials view emergency preparedness.

Emergency response plans that focused on hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding and snow have been or are being amended to include earthquakes.

Some states have enacted laws specifically related to the earthquake, and there is anecdotal evidence of a spike in insurance coverage for earthquake damage.

Where were you when the earthquake happened? Share your story in the comments section below.

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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