National Monuments Damaged In East Coast Earthquake

After the earthquake that rattled the east coast yesterday, workers at the National Mall in Washington D.C. are still assessing the damage to our national monuments and memorials.

There are no known deaths reported as a result of the quake, but the overall damage is estimated to be more than $100 million.

Damage has been confirmed to three of four pinnacles at the top of the National Cathedral, and cracks appeared in the flying buttresses around the east end.

The Cross family from Michigan was at the top of the Washington Monument when the earthquake hit. They felt the 555 foot monument swaying nearly a foot and pieces of the monument were falling on them.  Cracking was discovered in the stones atop the Monument, which will be closed until further notice.

The National Park Service noticed a crack in what they refer to as the paramedian at the very top of the triangle when assessing damage from a helicopter.  Of reports that the quake has caused the Washington Monument to lean or tilt, "Absolutely incorrect," was the response from U.S. Park Police Sgt. David Schlosser.  "It stands tall and proud."