Earthquake Causes Severe Damage in Highlandtown

Physical destruction from Tuesday's earthquake was not widespread, but there were sections in the Baltimore area where problems occurred.

For example, three buildings in the 3400 block of Gough St. in Highlandtown suffered damage.

The most severely damaged building was the former lodge for the Order Sons of Italy in America—one side of the building's second floor fell to the ground. The building is currently vacant.

In the middle of the block, one rowhouse suffered damage to a window. In addition to bricks falling off around it, cracks in the bricks were visible below the window.

At the corner of Gough St. and S. Conkling St., bricks fell from a window of a vacant building onto the fire escape and the ground below.

Overall, Baltimore officials say the city is in good shape following the tremor that hit the area as a result of a 5.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Virginia on Tuesday.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore City Fire Department Chief Jim Clack and several cabinet members held a press conference regarding the quake at the Emergency Operations Center.

“I am pleased to report that there have been no reports of significant injuries or major damage in Baltimore,” Rawlings-Blake said in a statement released by her office.

Following the press conference, Ted Atwood, director of General Services, said city buildings are in good shape. He said there have been no reports of serious damage to city facilities other than some cosmetic damage.

“So far it’s been pretty uneventful,” Atwood said.

Chief Kevin Cartwright, a spokesman for the fire department, said there have been isolated reports of damage to buildings, but none in North Baltimore. He noted that some bricks came off a building at Bank Street and South Broadway in Fells Point and problems in Highlandtown on Gough Street and S. Highland Street.

He said residents who observe damage, such as new cracks in a home’s foundation, should call 911 to have it assessed.

“We’re encouraging people to go about their routines,” Cartwright said.