syscom3
Pacific Historian
An earthquake with a magnitude of at least 4.3 has damaged homes and disrupted power supplies in southern England.
The quake struck at 8.18am, with the British Geological Survey placing the epicentre 7.5 miles off the Dover coast.
Householders said they felt the tremor as far afield as East Sussex, Essex and Suffolk.
Walls cracked and chimneys toppled onto buildings and pavements in at least four streets in Folkestone.
Sky News - Earth Tremor Shakes Southern England
A 30-year-old woman was taken to hospital with minor head and neck injuries.
Kent deputy chief fire officer Bill Feeley told Sky News: "Miraculously, we've had no more injuries than that."
He said Kent Fire and Rescue Service had been inundated with more than 200 emergency calls.
About 130 firefighters were making a number of damaged buildings safe.
Kent Chief Superintendent Alasdair Hope warned people to "be vigilant" and report any suspected gas leaks or structural damage.
Dangerous property emergency number: 01303 853 566/853 567.
Local energy supplier EDF Energy reported that thousands of its customers had lost power.
However, supplies have now been restored in the Folkestone and Dover areas.
More than 100 people who fled their homes were comforted by the Salvation Army with shelter and refreshments at a church in Folkestone.
Eurostar said the quake had not affected services across the Channel.
Residents said, when they heard the initial bang, they feared an explosion at the Dungeness nuclear power facility.
Bill Byrne, 47, from Folkestone, said: "There was a big rumble and roar at about 8.15am - the noise that was coming from my roof felt like it had caved in.
"We all came out and looked around to inspect the roof and other people's roofs and at that point saw the destruction."
Kent County Council chief executive Peter Gilroy said building engineers from across the county will be "systematically checking" properties in affected areas for structural damage.
The quake struck at 8.18am, with the British Geological Survey placing the epicentre 7.5 miles off the Dover coast.
Householders said they felt the tremor as far afield as East Sussex, Essex and Suffolk.
Walls cracked and chimneys toppled onto buildings and pavements in at least four streets in Folkestone.
Sky News - Earth Tremor Shakes Southern England
A 30-year-old woman was taken to hospital with minor head and neck injuries.
Kent deputy chief fire officer Bill Feeley told Sky News: "Miraculously, we've had no more injuries than that."
He said Kent Fire and Rescue Service had been inundated with more than 200 emergency calls.
About 130 firefighters were making a number of damaged buildings safe.
Kent Chief Superintendent Alasdair Hope warned people to "be vigilant" and report any suspected gas leaks or structural damage.
Dangerous property emergency number: 01303 853 566/853 567.
Local energy supplier EDF Energy reported that thousands of its customers had lost power.
However, supplies have now been restored in the Folkestone and Dover areas.
More than 100 people who fled their homes were comforted by the Salvation Army with shelter and refreshments at a church in Folkestone.
Eurostar said the quake had not affected services across the Channel.
Residents said, when they heard the initial bang, they feared an explosion at the Dungeness nuclear power facility.
Bill Byrne, 47, from Folkestone, said: "There was a big rumble and roar at about 8.15am - the noise that was coming from my roof felt like it had caved in.
"We all came out and looked around to inspect the roof and other people's roofs and at that point saw the destruction."
Kent County Council chief executive Peter Gilroy said building engineers from across the county will be "systematically checking" properties in affected areas for structural damage.
You crack me up Matt. Earthquakes are very rare in Britain. I hope everyone is okay and the damage is minimal. Homes and buildings here in California are all up to seismic code. Obviously, things are a little different in the UK.
