AFTERSHOCK HITS

BETHESDA OVERNIGHT

Did you feel it? A 4.5 aftershock shook Bethesda at 1:07 AM this morning, the strongest one yet since Tuesday's 5.8 earthquake in Mineral, Virginia.

Aftershocks are most likely within 10 days of a quake event, so we could be in for more!

Hurricane Irene is on the way this weekend, and some forecasters are predicting it will hit the east coast hard. You never know if the hurricanes will just affect Ocean City, or turn left and come up the Chesapeake Bay, when they pass Maryland.

It may be a good idea to assemble a first aid kit, bottled water, canned food (Van Kamp Beenie Weenie can be eaten hot or cold out of the can if you lose power, for example), weather and/or AM/FM radio and flashlight while you have a couple of days to prepare. Also, make sure you have at least a half-tank of gas in your car or truck.

You'll be ready for Irene AND any potential strong aftershocks in the days ahead.

Stay tuned to @BethesdaRow on Twitter for aftershock and earthquake coverage. It pays to do so, because I had the aftershock report live this morning - when it happened!

It's been entertaining to follow the posts of TV stations and newspapers who slept through the tremors. They actually have the audacity to claim an event that occurred 5 hours ago is "Breaking News!"

Stick with @BethesdaRow for the real coverage of the Bethesda earthquake(s)!