As earthquakes continue in Plainfield, 'everybody's frightened'

January 14, 2015 11:00 pm • Last Updated: January 15, 2015 11:46 pm

By By JUDY BENSON Day Staff Writer

Plainfield resident Terrie Labbe said, "The one this morning rocked me out of bed. And my poor dog jumped right out of his bed and jumped in bed with me. Everybody's afraid."

Plainfield — Lynn Scovel now has earthquake insurance.

The extra $109 per year added to her homeowner's policy seemed like a good investment, given the 10 earthquakes in her town since last Thursday and the location of her home within a mile of the epicenter of the strongest quake. She's seen no damage at her house as yet, but wants to be prepared just in case.

"I was just getting into the shower this morning when one happened," she said Wednesday, standing in the doorway of her home on Plainview Drive. "It sounded like someone was in the basement throwing stuff around, and my cat, she bolted. Everybody's frightened, because there's nothing we can do to protect ourselves."

The earthquake "swarm," as it's being termed by scientists, began on Thursday with a tremor that measured 2.2 on the Richter scale, and peaked on Monday morning with a 3.1 quake that residents said sounded like an explosion. Since the strongest one, there have been six smaller ones, the two most recent Wednesday morning measuring 1.0 and 1.7. Experts at the Weston Observatory at Boston College, which is the lead agency tracking earthquakes in New England and eastern Canada, say they can't predict how much longer the shaking will last, or whether it's likely to intensify.

"There's no consistent pattern in the way earthquakes happen," said John Ebel, senior research scientist at the observatory.

The last earthquake swarm in New England, he said, was in 2006-07 in Bar Harbor, Maine. Twenty tremors shook the town over a nine-month period. The strongest of the quakes was a 4.2, "close to the threshold" for causing minor, widespread damage, Ebel said.

On Tuesday, observatory scientists installed four portable seismographs at undisclosed locations in and around Plainfield, including one near the epicenter of the strongest quake off Plainview Drive, in the Wauragen section in the town's northwest corner. The data collected on the equipment will enable scientists to better pinpoint the epicenter of any future quakes than the regional seismographs they have been using, Ebel said.

First Selectman Paul Sweet said that while residents are paying close attention to the quakes, everyone seems to be staying calm. In response to concerns about the quakes, residents are invited to a town meeting Friday where Alan Kafka, the director of the Weston Observatory, will give a presentation about earthquakes in New England. State emergency management representatives will be on hand to answer questions and offer advice about preparations. On Friday morning, the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection will host a briefing to talk about the state's preparedness for future quakes.

"We're not getting in any way panicked about this, but it seemed like people needed someone to listen to them," Sweet said.

He urged residents to report any damage from the quakes thus far to the town's building official and their insurer. Thus far damage has been minor, limited to a few cracked windows, Sheetrock walls and foundations.

Terrie Labbe is among residents who plan to attend the meeting Friday.

"I imagine it'll be full," she said, as she walked her dog Peewee in Wauregan village. "I'd like to ask why this is happening now and whether we can tell if it will get progressively worse."

Labbe said she's worried whether some of the town's older homes will be able to withstand further shaking.

"I'm 74 years old and I've never experienced this, and now it's happening every day," she said. "The one this morning rocked me out of bed. And my poor dog jumped right out of his bed and jumped in bed with me. Everybody's afraid."

Pat Kozial, who lives on Plainview Drive, said when she heard the first rumbles, she thought it was coming from blasting at a nearby rock quarry. She's also planning to attend the meeting Friday, hoping to learn why the quakes are happening.

"It's just really strange," she said.

Her neighbor Sara Gwozdz recalled she first began hearing strange noises in the fall, but thought they were coming from the quarry. Paul Yellen, the town's fire marshal, said that on Oct. 13 there was a quake the registered a 0.9, and there were two more on Nov. 9, registering 0.9 and 0.6.

"We first thought it was illegal blasting," he said.

He said Yankee Gas crews have been in town checking underground gas lines, and have thus far found no damage.

Police Capt. Mario Arriaga advised residents to make sure they know how to shut off electricity and natural gas service to their homes, in case a more damaging quake hits.

The Northeast District Department of Health also advised residents to watch for changes in their well water.

"According to the United States Geological Survey, earthquakes can disrupt water supplies and impact water quality," Susan Starkey, director of health, said in a news release. "Due to the swarm of earthquakes occurring in the Plainfield area, residents should be aware that any ground motion could impact their wells and well water quality."

Residents with private wells should have their water tested if there is a change in taste, color, odor or clarity, the health district said. The agency also encouraged residents to inspect their homes for structural damage and contact their town building inspector with any concerns.

Plainfield Building Inspector Rob Kerr said residents should check their homes for pre-existing cracks or damage to walls, foundations, chimneys, eaves and balconies, so they can recognize any new damage caused by future quakes.

"That kind of information can impact everything from repairs to insurance claims," he said.

j.benson@theday.com

Twitter: @BensonJudy

Children play along South Chestnut Street in the Wauregan section of Plainfield Wednesday after a string of recent earthquakes.