Earthquake Hits Kent

News channels reporting earquake kit Kent at 8.18 this mornining, measuring 5.4 on the riector scale

the BBC saying 4.7

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6602677.stm

I've been watching since about 7 this morning. I have been really impressed with the coverage from the bbc (reports came through within 10 minutes of the incident). Reminds me of the Bunsfield incident.

I remember the moderate tremor we had in Cheshire a few years ago (around 70 aftershocks hit manchester over the next few months).

No doubt the news channels will be full of 'experts' giving opinions and explanations.

By this afternoon it will all be blamed on global warming, 'A' levels becoming easier, the hottest month on record or another of the excuse fodder they usually trot out

There's a disaster advice chap on Sky now with some priceless advice about how to roll off a bed into a 'safe zone'

~ 10 seconds of shaking at 08.20 where I was, for what its worth. Did half consider joining the hordes ringing tv and radio stations so I could impart this fascinating detail to the nation, however decided against it.

It'll be interesting to see how long it takes for people to get some pictures from our area. SET Today have a sat-truck at Tunbridge Wells which really ought to have got there by now.

Incidentally, to give you an idea of how exciting things normally are around here, this was the BBC's lead story locally before the earthquake:

Man, 82, hits robber with lettuce

With pictures of what exactly ? From what I gather apart from a few fallen roof tiles, and masonry cracks there's nothing to see ?

Sky News has shown a brief picture from their helicopter - not seen anything else yet.

There's probably just enough in central Folkestone for it to be worthwhile - quite a few chimney pots fallen off, lots of emergency vehicles, that sort of thing. I see what you're saying though..

How did ITV1 and BBC1 deal with the quake?

They didn't. BBC One was showing Breakfast at the time. Other than that, it's been normal programmes.