New York City puts out earthquake alert 40 MINUTES late and tells residents to 'stay indoors' and only call 911 if injured

An emergency alert has been sent out almost an hour after an unexpected earthquake hit the Northeast.

At 11:02 am, an alert was sent out to millions of people who were shaken by the quake, which happened at 10:23 am.

'4.7 magnitude earthquake has occurred in the NYC area,' the alert read.

'Residents are advised to remain indoors and to call 911 if injured.' 

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake, which the agency revealed was actually 4.8 in magnitude, was centered near Lebanon, New Jersey. 

The Fire Department of New York said there were no initial reports of damage.

The epicenter of the quake was near Readington in Hunterdon County, according to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

An amber alert has been sent out almost an hour after an unexpected earthquake hit the northeast

At 11:02 am, an alert was sent out to millions of people who were shaken by the quake

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake was centered near Lebanon, New Jersey

A follow up emergency alert was sent out at 11:46 am, updating New Yorkers as to what to expect.

'Aftershocks may be felt. New Yorkers can continue usual activities,' the alert said.

Both emergency alerts included a link to a USGS article with safety instructions for when an earthquake occurs.

The USGS article instructed those experiencing an earthquake indoors to stay in the building they are in.

'Get under a desk or table and hang on to it or move into a hallway or against an inside wall,' the post read.

In terms of what to avoid, USGS said to steer clear of windows, fireplaces and heavy furniture or appliances. The kitchen usually has plenty of loose items, so that room of the house is best to avoid if possible.

'DON'T run downstairs or rush outside while the building is shaking or while there is danger of falling and hurting yourself or being hit by falling glass or debris,' the post read.

The alert instructed New Yorkers to stay indoors and to only call 911 if injured

The epicenter of the quake was near Readington in Hunterdon County, according to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said on X that she and her team were aware of the earthquake, and that they are 'assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred'

If you're outside during an earthquake, its best to run into an open area 'away from buildings, power lines, chimneys, and anything else that might fall on you.'

If you're driving during an earthquake, its important to stop the car carefully.

'Move your car as far out of traffic as possible. DO NOT stop on or under a bridge or overpass or under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs. 

'STAY INSIDE your car until the shaking stops. When you RESUME driving, watch for breaks in the pavement, fallen rocks, and bumps in the road at bridge approaches.'

In the event you are caught in a mountainous area, watch out for falling objects, trees, landslides, and other debris brought out by the quake.

Hoards of celebrities took to X, shaken and surprised by the quake

The MLB Network posted footage of the earthquake's tremors shaking their live broadcasts

A follow up emergency alert was sent out at 11:46 am, updating New Yorkers as to what to expect in the aftermath

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said on X that she and her team were aware of the earthquake, and that they are 'assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred.'

'We will update the public throughout the day,' the post read.  

President Biden has been briefed on the earthquake, per the White House. 

Hoards of celebrities took to X, shaken and surprised by the quake, with some posting footage of the earthquake's tremors shaking live broadcasts, such as the MLB Network.

Megyn Kelly posted on X that she felt it in Connecticut.

'Did we just have an earthquake? (In CT),' she wrote.

Actress Busy Phillips also posted about feeling the shake in NYC: 'like guys. i think there was an earthquake in nyc.'

So far, there are no reports of major impacts or damage from the quake

Oscar-winner Jessica Chastain wrote: 'Did we just have an earthquake?! NYC'

Don Lemon added: 'Totally just had an #earthquake in New York. Did you feel it?'

Meanwhile the X account for the Empire State building posted: 'I am fine.'

Although the 8.5 million-person metropolis is not considered a seismic hot spot, the five boroughs are rife with fault lines that have the potential to collapse scores of structures.

Given that such an earthquake occurs in New York around every 100 years and that the most recent one occurred in 1884, this quake was a long time coming.

So far there are no reports of major impacts or damage from the quake.