My first earthquake! Now I'm feeling weird.

Linda Bittle

Around 6 pm (Mountain Time), we had a pretty good shake here in Adams County, Idaho. According to the news, it was a 6.5, and centered roughly 80 miles from Council, over near Challis.

I didn't catch on at first, and thought the washer was way off balance in the spin cycle. Then a few things fell off the shelves, and a kitchen cabinet popped open. No real damage reported. My propane tanks and furnace seem to be OK. No hissing, or bad smells. I think we got lucky.

It only lasted 30 seconds or so, but made me really dizzy, and now, and hour and a half later, I'm still feeling queasy. Does anyone have experience with post earthquake nausea and a feeling of unsteadiness? I'm guessing it will pass, and I'm gonna have a nice cup of chamomile tea and go to bed early. I thought about ginger but that doesn't really appeal to me at this moment.

blevinandwomba

Wow, that's a pretty big quake, especially for your part of the country, isn't it?

Sorry I don't have any tips about the nausea. I've been through a few quakes when visiting my sister, but none made me nauseated. The biggest one I experienced was 4.5 or so, but it was pretty long. They can be unsettling, though. Hugs, and I hope you feel better.

Linda Bittle

@blevinandwomba Yes, I guess it's not unheard of, but pretty rare for here. I kind of feel like I have an inner ear issue afterwards.

Thank you for your thoughts. I'm sure it's just a transient thing, but man, it's unpleasant.

Torey

@Mary Linda Bittle It was felt north of the border as well. People in Vancouver reported feeling it in some areas.

The feeling of uneasiness should go away soon. It is a bit discombobulating, especially the first time you feel one. The chamomile should help. If you have it, ginkgo helps with vertigo.Hope you feel better soon.

Linda Bittle

@torey Thanks for the info!

All the way to Vancouver? That's crazy.

I don't have ginkgo on hand, but I'm gonna add it to the shopping list! I'll call the local herb shop tomorrow. I have a couple of chamomile teas on hand. Gonna go with the one that has rose petals, too.

csinclair461

wow, glad you didn’t have any big damage. Those 30 seconds can really feel long when the world is shaking.

LaurieLovesLearning

I have only felt two earthquakes & while I was in the Black Hills. They we only 2 point somethings, but somewhat unusual for that area. When I talked to Californians who were present, they said they didn't notice. At that strength, it was fun for me, sort of like being dizzy, but not. It made the local paper. I never want to experience greater than that.

@Mary Linda Bittle I am glad no damage was done and that you are okay.

shllnzl

Years ago in Las Vegas I slept on a motionless waterbed. I woke up in the night ready to stop my husband's nightmare thrashings: it was an earthquake. The waterbed was bubbling like boiling water. It was only a 3.5 quake with no significant damage.

dipat2005

When I was going to school at Oregon State, one day I was standing in a 5th floor dorm room with several girls. They didn't know what was happening but the fish bowl was moving back and forth and I knew we were having an earthquake. Years later I was living in Lancaster, California and there was a Northridge earthquake that i felt strongly. I was in a water bed which was rather fun but I eventually got out and stood underneath a doorway. Later that same day I worked at Target in Palmdale, California and the shoes were off the rack and in the aisles. There were a lot of strong aftershocks that day. Most of the earthquakes I was in while living in California came with the roar of a freight train. The animals in the rural area where I lived would make all kinds of noises about 12 hours before an earthquake.

LaurieLovesLearning

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/856964#Comment_856964

Yes, one that I was in sounded like a big rig going past on the highway nearby. Nobody else heard it...or also thought it was a truck. There was no truck. It wasn't my imagination then.

They say that animals know when something big is coming and act strangely. Wild birds do the same. I think that most people just aren't observant enough to notice.

Linda Bittle

Thanks everyone for checking in. There have been lots of aftershocks, but I've only felt one little tremor around 8 last night.

I had a cup of this lovely herbal tea, from Republic of Tea. It contains Lemon balm, linden flower, orange blossoms, chamomile, lavender flower, skullcap, passion flower and Valerian root. I sweetened it with a spoon of honey, and was able to sleep all night.

I am not ashamed to say that I slept in my sweat pants, keys in pocket, and with a light on!

https://www.republicoftea.com/downton-abbey-lady-coras-evening-tea/p/v20241/#V20241

Linda Bittle

Apparently, post earthquake dizziness and vertigo are not uncommon. This article is fairly complex, but at least I know I'm not crazy! I did not find helpful info about what to do here, just that it occurs.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3475992/

VickiP

@Mary Linda Bittle We had an earthquake from Oklahoma, I live across the state line in Mo. They had a 5 something and I was laying in bed reading when the mirror on the wall started to sway and the cats got a bit agitated things shook a bit and then all was well, but I agree it was very disconcerting. We didn't have any major damage but several towns away had damage to bricks and stone work. I didn't have any problems from it, but you have my sympathy, it is just weird when you you never experience those things and then BAM!

Linda Bittle

@VickiP I'm sure glad I got to be this old before getting the experience! I have a friend in northern California that claims she likes them!

We've gone 48 hours and more now, and I've only felt the one shudder since, despite the many aftershocks. I've been trying to move back to the West Plains area since February, and have worried about tornadoes there. I'd already decided I don't care for fire season in the mountains, and the 4 winters of big snows and now an earthquake make me wonder if tornadoes will still be as scary...

VickiP

@Mary Linda Bittle Tornadoes are always scary! Unless you are as old as my husband and I are. We live out in the country and can't hear the sirens from inside our house, or outside if the wind is loud. One night I looked out and said "Hey the sky looks really bad!" So,of course, I went out just to see what was going on, my spouse joined me and we marveled at the thunder and lightning, then the wind and rain really came up and we ran inside. Soon our phone was ringing off the hook and every one we knew was making sure we were OK as a tornado had passed over head! It actually was about a half mile north of us but we did loose a big black cherry in the front yard and it hit the town about a mile from us and destroyed the school. The really funny thing is we have a storm shelter but never thought to use it as we saw no need! I signed up for email alerts through the local emergency management service LOL.

tomandcara

@Mary Linda Bittle Just wondering if your post earthquake symptoms are completely gone by this time? (Or by the time you read this) Earthquakes pandemics, economic chaos. Very interesting times we are in.

Linda Bittle

@tomandcara Thanks for asking. The dizziness lasted through the evening, and the feeling that I had an ear infection through the next day. I had a couple of episodes of vertigo that may have been due to an aftershock that I didn't really feel.

Since losing vision in my right eye last year, I've been more prone to brief feelings of unsteadiness. Not having much depth perception can really mess with balance anyway. But the earthquake definitely caused more intense feelings of general queasiness for, which decreased over 48 hours.

Leediafastje

I'm happy to hear you're feeling better. I've been through several earthquakes and the feeling afterwards reminds me of how I feel after being on a boat for a while ... unsteady. Would you share the name of the "lovely herbal tea from Republic of Tea?"

Linda Bittle

@Leediafastje yes, it's one of the Downton Abbey blends called Lady Cora's Evening Tea.

tomandcara

@Mary Linda Bittle So glad to hear you had the symptoms resolve quickly.

dimck421

It is an odd feeling, indeed. Not only does your world rattle, so does your sense of security. I am glad you are ok. :)

dottile46

@Mary Linda Bittle I thought of you when I heard about the quake on the radio. Glad all is well. Tornadoes aren't all good but at least we usually know they are coming.