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2.9 Earthquake Reported West Of Lake In The Hills

(CBS) A small earthquake hit the northwest suburbs Wednesday evening.

The U.S. Geological Survey measured the quake at 2.9 on the open-ended Richter scale, with the epicenter about one mile west of Lake-in-the-Hills.

Lake-in-the-Hills police officer Matt Mannino said he and other officers in the suburb heard a boom; while he does not recall much of a shake, he said the 911 dispatch center received a number of calls from people who heard and felt both.

Five miles to the south, in West Dundee, Steve Satchiw said the temblor interrupted dinner. He said he immediately looked outside, fearing that a car had hit his house or a tree had collapsed onto it.

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In Cary, Gerg Heineman said he felt the earth shake for about 20 seconds, and compared it to a heavy dump truck passing in front of his home.

Former McHenry County Treasurer William LaFew said several of his insurance clients in the Marengo area reported shaking that lasted for as long as 40 seconds.

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Seismograph recording of the 2.9 earthquake near Lake in the Hills. (Credit: Northern Illinois University)

CBS 2 Weather Watcher Bob Watson said he heard a loud bang.

"We could feel it throughout the house…felt like there was really something heavy dropped outside," said Watson.

The Geological Survey said the earth shook in a number of nearby communities, including Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills, Huntley, Union, Woodstock, Wonder Lake and Elgin.

Typically, the Geological Survey says, temblors in the 2.0-3.0 range do not cause any serious damage.

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