2.4 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Bergen County, New Jersey

PARAMUS, N.J. — A 2.4 magnitude earthquake struck Bergen County shortly after 1 p.m. Friday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake, centered southeast of Paramus, sent tremors through several North Jersey towns, including New Milford and Emerson, prompting residents to report loud booms and shaking.

The Bergen County Office of Emergency Management confirmed the earthquake through the USGS and urged residents to call 911 only for emergencies. “No reports of serious damage have been reported at this time,” officials said in a statement. “We will continue to monitor this situation and issue further alerts as warranted.”

Residents took to social media to describe the experience. One X user posted, “Crazy rumbling just occurred in my area. Maybe an earthquake. North Jersey.” Another resident said it “sounded like a car hit the house,” while a Patch reader in Haworth described the sensation as “like a big tree had slammed to the ground nearby, or like there had been an explosion nearby.”

This earthquake follows a series of seismic events in the region over the past nine months. In April 2024, a stronger quake rocked the state, and in July, residents reported hearing an explosion that was later confirmed by NASA to be a meteor passing over North Jersey.

As of Friday afternoon, no significant damage or injuries have been reported. Authorities continue to assess the situation and advise residents to remain cautious.