UPDATED: Earthquake Shakes Virginia, East Coast

5 p.m. update — FEMA asks that the public use text messages and email for the next few hours, except in cases of emergency, so that emergency officials can continue to receive and respond to urgent calls.

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4:30 p.m. update — All Alexandria City Public Schools students are accounted for and went home safely, according to a release.

All schools are closed for the day and staff have been dismissed.

ACPS is checking all school buildings for structural damage to determine if school will open Wednesday on a normal schedule.

Athletic practices will be held at as scheduled.

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3:50 p.m. update — Alexandria resident Bill Frye said he was driving to George Washington Middle School to vote when "all of a sudden the car started bouncing around." Initially, he thought it was the wind and then worried that he may have hit a pedestrian. 

He pulled over but then continued on to vote where the polls were still open.

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3:48 p.m. update — Alexandria City Public Schools just tweeted the following: "If a parent/guardian is not at the bus stop, kindergarten students will be returned to school and can be picked up there."

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3:45 p.m. update — According to a city release, DASH buses are maintaining full service at this time. Minor delays may be experienced. For updates, click here.

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3:35 p.m. update — Alexandria Code Administration has advised that homes and offices should be assumed safe to enter, unless visible signs of structural damage (including horizontal or diagonal cracks) are present.

Tuesday's primaries are going on as scheduled according to Adam Ebbin's Twitter account. Ebbin is running in the Democratic primary for the 30th District state senate seat against Libby Garvey and Rob Krupicka.

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3:30 p.m. update — WTOP is reporting numerous injuries related to the earthquake, but none are serious.

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3:10 p.m. update — Mount Vernon Community School in Del Ray was evacuated following the earthquake. Students and teachers sat in a nearby field awaiting buses for regular dismissal.

Businesses on Mt. Vernon Avenue continued as normal following the earthquake.

Pat Miller, owner of , said some items fell from the wall of her store, which specializes in locally made crafts and artwork.

"Somehow nothing broke," Miller said.

Her store was full of customers about an hour after the quake.

A employee said nothing was damaged inside the store and restaurant.

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The U.S. Geological Survey said an earthquake of a 5.8 magnitude hit Virginia at 1:51 p.m. near the town of Mineral, which is about 83 miles from Washington, D.C.

The Pentagon is being evacuated, as are many buildings in Washington, D.C. and Crystal City. Some bridges may be closed.

The largest earthquake in Virginia's history was in 1897 in Giles County, Virginia, according to the USGS. It was also 5.9 magnitude.