Earthquake Felt on NH Seacoast

A 4.6-magnitude earthquake that had an epicenter near Hollis, Maine, was felt on the Seacoast Tuesday night.

The quake struck at about 7:12 p.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It could be felt in parts of New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont, according to reports on social media. There were no immediate reports of damage.

Unitil reported gas line breaks are possible from the quake, and warned people to evacuate homes and buildings if they smell gas.

Many Hampton area residents said on Hampton-North Hampton Patch's Facebook page they felt the quake.

"I thought the propane tanks blew up!" wrote Annette Rock Flanders. "Weird to see/feel everything move. Kinda cool as long as there's no damage to the buildings and hope there isn't another bigger one!"

Carol Mitchell wrote that it was "VERY scary" for her.

"Even that cat sat up to take notice of all that rumbling," said Mitchell. "My trailer was moving and at first I thought it was a tornado because I could hear the trailer making cracking noises."

Steve LaBranche said he "thought a bomb went off" or a truck hit his house when the earthquake happened.

"I have never experienced anything like that before in my house at Hampton Beach (18 years)," wrote LaBranche. "My house moved - the hanging lamp over my dinning room table actually rocked."

Readers from Exeter, Portsmouth and Greenland also reported feeling the earthquake. More local resident reaction is available here.