Earthquake near Cuba shakes Lee County homes and offices

Tremors from an earthquake near Cuba were felt Monday across homes, offices, and roads in southwest Florida, including North Fort Myers and Cape Coral.

Ann Rockford, a resident of North Fort Myers, said, "Oh, we're having an earthquake. And they all thought that I was crazy."

Rockford described the experience from her Fort Myers office, saying, "The computers were shaking, like the computer screens. You can definitely feel it vibrate through your chair."

The rumble was felt across the Gulf Coast, from offices to homes. Patricia Gillen, another North Fort Myers resident, said, "I was looking at the TV and the whole house was like this. And I glanced over and my grandfather clock is doing this."

Residents at Lake Arrowhead in North Fort Myers, near North U.S. 41, reported furniture inside their homes shaking.

"I would have to say it was a good five seconds straight that the rumbling went. It felt like an hour," Gillen said. "I've got goosebumps right now. It's crazy."

Drivers on the road also noticed the tremors. Pamela Hetrick of Alva, Florida, said, "The car was shaking like we were in a strong 40-mile-an-hour wind, maybe 35. And you're just sitting there, and it's rolling back and forth. I looked at all the trees and stuff, and there was no wind."

Many residents were initially unsure of what was happening but were left in awe at feeling the rare earthquake in Florida.

"You're hoping they're all OK. And it's not something stronger than we thought because you always have the aftershocks sometimes." Hetrick said. "You just hope and pray that it doesn't happen again."

Lee County government officials confirmed, after immediate inspections, that there was no damage or disruption to county buildings or operations.