DC808 is back up and running after an earthquake shook buildings and forced hundreds of people around the U.S. Capitol outside in an evacuation. (Thanks to Civil Beat editor John Temple for posting an update that we were able to text message while phones and Internet access were down.)

The U.S. Geological Survey reports the 5.9-magnitude earthquake’s epicenter was in Mineral, Va., near Richmond. In downtown D.C., buildings shook and windows rattled for about 20 disorienting seconds.

Traffic is severely backed up around the Capitol complex, where wailing sirens can still be heard. Roads around the area are blocked, and pedestrians are instructed not to use the sidewalks nearest to the Capitol dome. Despite the disruption, people appear to be getting back to work. 

“We assumed it was something much worse,” one federal worker told DC808. “I’m relieved it wasn’t.”