I work on the water in Quincy, near Boston MA. I thought I felt something odd while sitting at my desk, but it was even more apparent when I stood up and realized the building was not trembling or rumbling but swaying back and forth.

The PA system came on just as we started exchanging worried comments-and we were ordered to evacuate the building immediately. I never saw my co-workers take a 'fire drill' so seriously.

We really didn't know what was going on until we got outside and someone with a Smart Phone let us know there had been an earthquake in Virginia. We were able to return to work within a half hour after the Fire Department gave us the ok, but it was certainly the topic of conversation the rest of the afternoon.