NEW YORK, United States — “Frightened”, “shaken up”, “jolted” and “scared but I am alright” — that was the general reaction of Jamaicans here to Friday’s 4.8-magnitude earthquake which rocked the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and beyond.

A quick check by the Jamaica Observer with some members of the Jamaican community revealed that while they had not suffered any damage or loss, the experience was frightening, as it was a first for many living in the area, home to the biggest community of Jamaicans in the US.

Sixty-three-year-old Carlene McIntosh of Queens borough was in bed “when the whole place began to shake… It was a frightening experience as I have never felt an earthquake before”, she told the Observer.

The mother of two, who works as a secretary at a hospital in nearby Long Island, said she resorted to prayer when she recognised what was happening.

Brooklyn-based Ronnie Hammick said he had just returned home from his night job and was on the phone with a friend when the entire place began shaking. “It was a bit horrifying,” he said.

Another Brooklyn resident, Donna Collins, described the experience as “quite frightening”, saying she dived under a table as soon as she realised what was happening.

In the Bronx, retired mechanic Lenord Withfield said he felt the quake and though it did not last long it was nonetheless frightening.

In Connecticut, retired Correctional Officer Ferris McLean-Edwards said she had not received reports of any physical impact on the Jamaican community as a result of the earth tremor.

Hugh Robinson, a former member of the Jamaica Defence Force who resides in Pennsylvania, where the quake was also felt, described his experience as “even more frightening given that I was in a high-rise building when it took place. I give God thanks that no damage was done, nor anybody got hurt,” he said.

Peter McKenzie of Long Island was sitting at his breakfast table “when the whole place began to rumble and shake violently”.

“It was extremely frightening,” he said, noting that he too had not heard of any damage to life or properties of Jamaicans in the area.

Roshell Barnes was the only person interviewed by the Observer who said she did not feel the tremor. The Queens-based accountant who works from home said she had no idea that the earthquake had struck until it was over.