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The
Importance of
Commercial Truck Insurance in Hillsborough, NC
- Let's face it - truckers in America have always been the backbone of our great country. They still are in modern times. On any given day, thousands of trucks traverse our highways and local roads, delivering goods and products on time so that businesses and consumers have what they need to live life. And while commercial trucking can be an incredibly lucrative way to make a living and put food on the table, it can also be risky and expensive.
- Whether you're the owner of a fleet, an independent trucker, or have a business that uses big rigs to transport goods, you need commercial trucking insurance to protect you and your client's investments, shield you from liability, and more.
- That's where working with a reliable truck insurance agency comes into play. Unfortunately, for many commercial truck insurance providers, serving the needs of truckers is low on the proverbial totem pole. At Independence Insurance Agency, nothing could be further from the truth.
Service Areas
The Commercial Truck
Insurance Agency in Hillsborough, NC You Can Trust
Much like you pride yourself on running a successful trucking business, Independence Insurance Agency prides itself on its years of experience providing truck insurance for hardworking men and women across the country. And in our experience, insurance rates for truckers are just too high - so high, in fact, that they eat away at their bottom line, making it more difficult to run a business and make a profit. Fortunately, at Independence Insurance Agency, we provide truckers the freedom they need from astronomically high insurance rates so they can stay on the road and keep driving America forward.
As one of the most trusted commercial trucking insurance agencies in the U.S., we understand the challenges that you face daily as a trucker. We also know how important it is to protect your business. That's why we go above and beyond to find you the best-priced coverage available, whether you're an operator, own a small fleet, a large fleet, or something in between.
We Put Truckers First Because Others Don't
Truckers across the country choose to work with Independence Insurance Agency because we put their needs first before anything else. As experts in transportation insurance, we proudly offer a range of quality insurance products that are both practical and affordable for them. Our industry-leading carriers provide coverage that caters to the unique challenges faced by the trucking industry, ensuring that your business is protected at all times.
At our core, we are committed to finding the best possible price for your coverage without compromising the quality of service you deserve. The truth is, we understand how essential truckers are to the United States and take pride in making their insurance experience more streamlined and affordable.
One way we do so is by simplifying the insurance process. Our transportation specialists take the time to understand your specific needs and budget to tailor a comprehensive plan that works for you. You won't ever have to worry about cookie-cutter plans or uninterested agents when you work with our commercial trucking insurance agency. We take an educational approach to ensure that the entire big rig insurance process is quick, painless, and easy to understand. If there's something you don't understand, we're happy to take the time to explain. After all, the success and safety of your business are on the line.
Looking to the future, we are committed to providing innovative new products that cater to the ever-changing needs of truck drivers. As your one-stop shop for commercial trucking insurance, we are dedicated to your success, one policy at a time.
If you're a commercial trucker looking to ensure your rig, you can rest easy knowing that Independence Insurance Agency provides:
- Affordable Trucking Insurance Plans for Any Budget
- Exemplary Customer Service
- Seasoned Transportation Specialists Who Customize Plans to Your Needs
- A+ Carriers Across the Country
- Simple, Easy Quote and Bind Process
- Multiple Insurance Carriers Quoted to Find You the Best Rates
- Truck Insurance for New Ventures
Call us or send us a message today to learn more about the best 18-wheeler insurance options for your trucking business.
The Commercial Truck
Common Types of Big Rig Truck Insurance in Hillsborough, NC
At Independence Insurance Agency, we offer several types of insurance coverage for local, intermediate, and long-haul trucking needs. Here are just a few categories of trucking insurance coverage that our agency offers.
As the foundation of your insurance policy, liability coverage is required by law in most states in the U.S. It provides coverage for damage or injuries caused to properties or other people if your 18-wheeler is responsible for the crash. Without liability coverage, it's almost impossible to drive a truck or run a trucking business without major legal consequences.
Having physical damage coverage is an essential component that shouldn't be overlooked. This insurance is responsible for covering the expenses related to repairing or replacing your truck in situations such as accidents, theft, vandalism, and other damaging events. By having this coverage, you can rest assured that your business won't be affected significantly by unexpected incidents, and you can continue running your operations smoothly even in challenging times.
For trucking companies, the goods they transport are crucial to their operations. To protect these goods from damage, loss, or theft while in transit, cargo insurance is essential. This coverage provides much-needed peace of mind for both you and your clients, allowing you to reimburse clients for any losses sustained while protecting your reputation and brand identity.
Non-Trucking Liability Insurance is designed to cover property damage or bodily injury that may occur during personal time when the driver/truck is not under dispatch. This coverage can be applied with or without a trailer and is added to a commercial policy as an endorsement.
While Independence Insurance Agency has built a reputation of excellence in serving the needs of truckers, we also offer general liability. Also known as Truckers General Liability, this coverage insures for bodily injuries or property damage that happen due to business activities that are NOT the cause of operating a truck. It covers accidents that occur in parking lots, rest stops, also while loading or unloading. General liability can also cover losses related to theft and vandalism. Most brokers and shippers will require this coverage to work with you.
Bobtail insurance is a type of coverage that is comparable to non-trucking liability, which is designed to offer protection when driving a truck without a trailer attached. This is commonly referred to as "bobtailing." With bobtail insurance, the tractor is covered at all times, even when it is not attached to a trailer, regardless of whether or not the truck is under dispatch.
Trailer interchange insurance is a must-have if you're involved in a trailer interchange agreement. This essential coverage offers protection for trailers owned by other parties that you're using under a contractual agreement. It covers damages caused by collisions, fire, theft, and vandalism, providing assurance to all parties involved.
Curious whether our commercial truck insurance agency in cityname, state offers additional coverage? The following options can be bound in your insurance policy:
- Business Interruption Insurance
- Reefer Breakdown Insurance
- Occupational Accident with Contract Liability Insurance
- Rental Reimbursement Insurance
- Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist Insurance
- Towing Insurance
- Electronics Insurance
- Much More
3 Safe Driving Tips to
Lower the Cost of Truck Insurance in Hillsborough, NC
Keeping your drivers safe on the road is crucial not only for their own well-being but also for the safety of other motorists and the financial stability of your business. The Department of Labor has identified the trucking industry as one of the most hazardous sectors in the U.S. In fact, trucking and logistics fleets are known for their high injury and fatality rates. By improving how safely your truckers drive, you can help reduce expenses related to claim payouts, accidents, and insurance premium hikes.
Whether you own a large fleet or you're the owner and operator of a single rig, keep these safe driving tips in mind to help lower your insurance costs.
Implement Preventative Maintenance Plans
Ensuring the safety of your drivers begins with the safety of their vehicles. Trucks and tractor-trailers that do not receive regular maintenance, such as oil and brake pad changes, are more likely to experience breakdowns while on the road. Telematics devices provide real-time insight into engine and odometer data, including fault codes.
This information enables your mechanics to create comprehensive preventative maintenance schedules based on mileage, history of previous breakdowns, days, and more. Additionally, they can receive immediate notifications for critical fault codes. By implementing routine maintenance and proactive repair schedules, you can ensure that your vehicles are in top condition, minimizing the likelihood of breakdowns, which can help reduce the cost of trucker insurance.
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Practice Defensive Driving
This approach aims to mitigate the risk of fatal crashes and injuries by proactively identifying and responding to potentially dangerous situations and making informed decisions while driving. By adopting defensive driving techniques, drivers can reduce their likelihood of accidents, thereby minimizing the need for expensive repairs, claim payouts, and increased insurance premiums.
Some of the easiest ways for you or your drivers to practice safe driving include:
- Be Wary of Blind Spots: Operating a reefer or tractor-trailer means driving high off of the ground, which can make visibility limited, especially in blind spots. To check your blind spot, look over your shoulder and out of your windows while changing lanes.
- Be Ready for Emergencies on the Road: It's important for drivers to be ready for unexpected situations when driving, especially during long trips. They should be equipped to handle emergencies such as poor driving conditions or big rig breakdowns.
- Use the Three-Second Rule: Truck drivers should try to maintain a three-second gap between their vehicle and the car in front of them. This means that the truck driver should reach a certain point on the road three seconds after the car in front of them has passed that same point.
- Always Use Right and Left Turn Indicators: It's important for drivers to always use their turn signals when changing lanes or exiting highways, even if they don't see any other cars around. This is not only required by law, but it also reduces the chances of accidents occurring on the road.
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Find Ways to Prevent Distracted Driving
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), distracted driving is the primary reason behind truck driver accidents. Any activity that takes a driver's attention away from the road or the steering wheel is considered distracted driving. Distractions can come in various forms, such as eating while driving or gazing at a billboard outside the window. However, the most frequent form of distracted driving is the use of cellphones, specifically texting while driving.
Assuming you or your driver's rigs are equipped with dual-facing cameras, try reviewing footage of an unsafe driving incident. Coach your drivers on ways to correct their unsafe behaviors or look up ways to do so yourself if you're the one operating the big rig. The bottom line is that when your drivers aren't distracted, they drive safer. And when they drive safer, the cost of 18-wheeler insurance in cityname, state can be reduced.
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Ensuring the safety of your drivers begins with the safety of their vehicles. Trucks and tractor-trailers that do not receive regular maintenance, such as oil and brake pad changes, are more likely to experience breakdowns while on the road. Telematics devices provide real-time insight into engine and odometer data, including fault codes.
This information enables your mechanics to create comprehensive preventative maintenance schedules based on mileage, history of previous breakdowns, days, and more. Additionally, they can receive immediate notifications for critical fault codes. By implementing routine maintenance and proactive repair schedules, you can ensure that your vehicles are in top condition, minimizing the likelihood of breakdowns, which can help reduce the cost of trucker insurance.
Call Now
This approach aims to mitigate the risk of fatal crashes and injuries by proactively identifying and responding to potentially dangerous situations and making informed decisions while driving. By adopting defensive driving techniques, drivers can reduce their likelihood of accidents, thereby minimizing the need for expensive repairs, claim payouts, and increased insurance premiums.
Some of the easiest ways for you or your drivers to practice safe driving include:
- Be Wary of Blind Spots: Operating a reefer or tractor-trailer means driving high off of the ground, which can make visibility limited, especially in blind spots. To check your blind spot, look over your shoulder and out of your windows while changing lanes.
- Be Ready for Emergencies on the Road: It's important for drivers to be ready for unexpected situations when driving, especially during long trips. They should be equipped to handle emergencies such as poor driving conditions or big rig breakdowns.
- Use the Three-Second Rule: Truck drivers should try to maintain a three-second gap between their vehicle and the car in front of them. This means that the truck driver should reach a certain point on the road three seconds after the car in front of them has passed that same point.
- Always Use Right and Left Turn Indicators: It's important for drivers to always use their turn signals when changing lanes or exiting highways, even if they don't see any other cars around. This is not only required by law, but it also reduces the chances of accidents occurring on the road.
Call Now
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), distracted driving is the primary reason behind truck driver accidents. Any activity that takes a driver's attention away from the road or the steering wheel is considered distracted driving. Distractions can come in various forms, such as eating while driving or gazing at a billboard outside the window. However, the most frequent form of distracted driving is the use of cellphones, specifically texting while driving.
Assuming you or your driver's rigs are equipped with dual-facing cameras, try reviewing footage of an unsafe driving incident. Coach your drivers on ways to correct their unsafe behaviors or look up ways to do so yourself if you're the one operating the big rig. The bottom line is that when your drivers aren't distracted, they drive safer. And when they drive safer, the cost of 18-wheeler insurance in cityname, state can be reduced.
Call Now
FAQs About
Independence Insurance Agency
If you're looking for a commercial trucking insurance agency for your business, chances are you have some questions - and we've got answers. Keep reading to learn more about some of the most commonly asked questions we hear from truckers like you.
Why go with a "jack of all trades" when you can work with specialists who focus exclusively on transportation insurance? We have excellent relationships with major trucking insurance carriers and, as such, can provide the best assistance and reasonable rates.
Typically, companies will look at claims that date back three years or less.
We proudly work with more than 20 carriers to provide our clients with the most advantageous options at competitive prices, catering to the needs of owner-operators and big fleets alike.
Permit filings are typically done by insurance companies on the next business day. Federal (FMCSA) filings are completed online and updated immediately, while some states may take up to three weeks to process.
Independence Insurance Agency: Committed to the Trucking Industry
There's no question about it - you've got to protect your staff, your rig, and your trucking business with insurance. But choosing the right insurance partner isn't always easy. Thankfully, with Independence Insurance Agency by your side, you can rest easy knowing you're covered no matter where the road takes you. If you're in need of a commercial truck insurance agency in Hillsborough, NC that caters to truckers like you, pick up the phone and contact one of our transportation specialists today. That way, you can get back on the road with confidence tomorrow.
Latest News in Hillsborough, NC
Embracing agricultural serenity: enjoy farms around Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, NC
Laurie Paolicellihttps://thelocalreporter.press/embracing-agricultural-serenity-enjoy-farms-around-chapel-hill-and-hillsborough-nc/
ORANGE SLICESIn the bustling region surrounding Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough, North Carolina, lies a hidden oasis of tranquility and connection with nature: the numerous farms dotting the landscape.As we enter spring, it’s a great reminder that the expansive fields, meandering paths, and peaceful barns of farms offer the perfect backdrop for solitary or family exploration.In today’s fast-paced society, where constant connectivity is the norm, farms offer a sanctuary of stillness and simplicity where...
ORANGE SLICES
In the bustling region surrounding Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough, North Carolina, lies a hidden oasis of tranquility and connection with nature: the numerous farms dotting the landscape.
As we enter spring, it’s a great reminder that the expansive fields, meandering paths, and peaceful barns of farms offer the perfect backdrop for solitary or family exploration.
In today’s fast-paced society, where constant connectivity is the norm, farms offer a sanctuary of stillness and simplicity where you can escape the noise and chaos of everyday life. Farms in the Chapel Hill and Hillsborough area offer a wealth of opportunities for solo travelers and families to enjoy quiet solitude, meaningful activities, and authentic connections with nature and like-minded individuals.
Nurture your soul, recharge your energy, and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the simple joys of rural living.
The farmlands surrounding Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, NC, contribute to the region’s vibrant agricultural landscape, providing fresh, locally grown food, supporting the local economy, and preserving the area’s rural character.
From picking fresh produce to engaging in hands-on workshops, there are plenty of opportunities for quiet immersion in the agricultural experience that is Orange County. But please remember: Nearly all the farms involved in agri-tourism (open farm activities for visitors) require a bit of planning. Be sure to check their websites first. Be sure that blueberry and strawberry plants are in fact, bearing fruit and when planning your fresh flower picking, call ahead.
Many farms offer unforgettable experiences. Here’s a sampling:
Berry picking:
Hard Cider Libations:
Farm products fresh to Farm Market:
Planned tour – Call to play with goats, herd sheep, and tour the grounds:
Planned summer camp:
Planned pick your own flowers:
Planned yoga and goat play:
Take a hike:
Participate in farm-to-table cooking:
For those who prefer animal companionship to human interaction, farms are a haven of furry and feathered friends waiting to be discovered. From the gentle nuzzle of a horse to the playful antics of barnyard chickens, interacting with animals can provide a sense of comfort and connection for introverted visitors.
Some farms even offer animal-assisted therapy programs, where introverts can find solace and companionship in the company of therapy animals.
Therapy Farms
Farmers’ Markets
P.S. Check out the Piedmont Farm Tour, April 20 – 21, 2024
Laurie Paolicelli is executive director for the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau, a position she has held since 2005. Laurie has worked in tourism and marketing for twenty-five years, having served in leadership roles in Houston and California convention and visitor bureaus. She is a native of the Twin Ports of Duluth, MN/Superior Wisconsin. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Communications from the University Wisconsin-Superior and graduate certification in Technology In Marketing from the UNC-Chapel Hill’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media.
I-40 blasting work for Orange County business park revamped to avoid traffic slowdown
Tammy Grubbhttps://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article286387245.html
Update: The story was updated a second time at 8:30 a.m. March 19, 2024.Blasting planned near Interstate 40 south of Hillsborough started Monday, March 18, after NCDOT officials worked out a plan with the drilling company to avoid affecting traffic.The work was expected to slow down traffic on I-40 to a crawl a couple of times a day, but the town of Hillsborough delayed the blasting project and met with the contractor to work out a way to avoid traffic problems.The blasting is expected to happen intermitten...
Update: The story was updated a second time at 8:30 a.m. March 19, 2024.
Blasting planned near Interstate 40 south of Hillsborough started Monday, March 18, after NCDOT officials worked out a plan with the drilling company to avoid affecting traffic.
The work was expected to slow down traffic on I-40 to a crawl a couple of times a day, but the town of Hillsborough delayed the blasting project and met with the contractor to work out a way to avoid traffic problems.
The blasting is expected to happen intermittently for about two weeks.
The project site is about a mile south of UNC Hospitals Hillsborough Campus and the Waterstone neighborhood in Hillsborough. The N.C. Department of Transportation is also widening I-40 to six lanes in Orange County, which has caused other traffic slowdowns.
The blasting work is necessary to install utilities for Orange County’s new Research Triangle Logistics Park, a light-industrial, manufacturing and warehouse project planned southwest of the interchange.
The RTLP site, about twice the square footage of The Streets at Southpoint mall in Durham, could be one of the Triangle’s biggest business parks, said Steve Brantley, Orange County’s economic development director. The project, an investment previously estimated at $150 million, could generate at least 1,500 jobs, the developer has said.
The actual investment could be more but depends on the price of construction — currently about $100 a square foot for commercial, Brantley said — and the tenants that end up in those buildings. There’s also additional value in the equipment that’s installed, he said.
“The park will now enable commercial land development within the county’s economic development district ... consequently creating new jobs and opportunities for both our county and the broader region, and we are extremely excited about that,” Brantley said.
An Avison Young industrial market report showed “robust demand” last year for new industrial space in the Raleigh-Durham market, with a low 4.3% vacancy rate.
“Our team is thrilled to work on a project of such magnitude,” said Avison Young Vice President Bill Aucoin. “It’s been remarkable to witness the site development and to work alongside the ownership, Orange County Economic Development, and the Town of Hillsborough to make it a reality, There is a strong demand from industrial users, and we are looking forward to marketing and leasing the space.”
Orange County approved the zoning and a master plan for the 162-acre joint project in 2020. Hillsborough has been working with the developers for a few years to complete the project plans.
The land is in the county’s 637-acre Hillsborough Economic Development District, one of three economic districts established in the 1980s for commercial projects.
Construction also has been happening in recent years in the Buckhorn EDD in Efland. The Eno EDD is located in eastern Orange County, south of Interstate 85, near Durham.
Developer Terra Equity I LLC, a division of Louisville, Kentucky-based Barrister Commercial Group bought the land in 2023, after a court battle with neighbors opposed to the project.
The plan calls for five buildings with up to 2.4 million square feet for warehouse, light industrial and manufacturing operations on the newly named Diversity Drive.
The project will be built in phases, starting with nearly 1.4 million square feet in three buildings. Two buildings could be ready to lease by late 2025, according to Avison Young real estate officials in Chapel Hill.
This story was originally published March 7, 2024, 2:28 PM.
Fire Department to Train with Practice Fire near Hillsborough
hillsboroughnc.govhttps://www.hillsboroughnc.gov/news/news/2024/2/15/1756/fire-department-to-train-with-practice-fire-near-hillsborough.html
News Smoke may be visible into the evening on Feb. 24; the public is invited to watch Orange Rural Fire Department will train with a practice fire next Saturday, Feb. 24, just east of Hillsborough. The public is welcome to watch from a safe distance.The training will be performed on a house struck by lightning last summer, 1216 St. Mary’s Road, north of U.S. 70 by Churton Grove Center. The owners donated the hous...
Smoke may be visible into the evening on Feb. 24; the public is invited to watch
Orange Rural Fire Department will train with a practice fire next Saturday, Feb. 24, just east of Hillsborough. The public is welcome to watch from a safe distance.
The training will be performed on a house struck by lightning last summer, 1216 St. Mary’s Road, north of U.S. 70 by Churton Grove Center. The owners donated the house for fire training after insurers advised demolishing the structure.
The Fire Department plans to be on site by 8 a.m. and to begin the practice fire by 9 a.m. Training should be complete by 4 p.m. Smoke may be present into the evening. Firefighters will remain on site until assured that no rekindling or fire spread can occur.
The live fire will allow Orange Rural to train on:
Anyone wishing to watch the fire training must stay outside a fire line perimeter that the department will establish to keep spectators at a safe distance from the structure.
Orange Rural Fire Chief Jeff Cabe said those viewing can expect to see “organized chaos, firefighters entering and exiting the structure, smoke and flames visible from any openings in the structure and eventually the entire structure.”
The department, which the Town of Hillsborough contracts with for fire service, relies on members of the community allowing it to train on structures scheduled for demolition. It does not have a burn room — an engineered structure where firefighters can train with a live fire — but is making plans to build a training facility.
Dilapidated buildings provide new firefighters with training on fire behavior, fire control and how to work as safely as possible when responding to actual emergencies. The last live fire training Orange Rural performed was in 2019 on the former Russell’s Steakhouse on South Churton Street.
“We’d love to have two to three annually but are lucky to get any,” Cabe said, “so we go to Chapel Hill and utilize their burn building for the basics.”
Learn more about practice fires through the video Live Burn Training, available on the town’s YouTube channel.
Fiber Contractors Working in Rights of Way
hillsboroughnc.govhttps://www.hillsboroughnc.gov/news/news/2024/2/2/1744/fiber-contractors-working-in-rights-of-way.html
News Fiber contractors will be working in the rights of way throughout Hillsborough, including in neighborhoods.Brightspeed, Google Fiber and Lumos are building fiber-optic networks in and around Hillsborough to provide access to their gigabit internet services. Google Fiber and Lumos have entered into master encroachment agreements with the town, and Brightspeed is operating under a statewide franchise agreement that does not require tow...
Fiber contractors will be working in the rights of way throughout Hillsborough, including in neighborhoods.
Brightspeed, Google Fiber and Lumos are building fiber-optic networks in and around Hillsborough to provide access to their gigabit internet services. Google Fiber and Lumos have entered into master encroachment agreements with the town, and Brightspeed is operating under a statewide franchise agreement that does not require town permission.
Utility companies have permission to work within the rights of way of the town and the North Carolina Department of Transportation. A right of way typically includes the area past the edge of the street toward a home for about 8 feet but can vary and be greater. Any activity on privately owned property, which does not include the rights of way, requires approval of the property owner.
Residents can review the approximate location of the rights of way on Orange County’s GIS website. Enter an address and click the photography button in the upper right corner to see property lines and streets.
Most of the fiber contractors’ work to this point has been laying the backbone lines that will serve as the connection point to neighborhoods. These lines have not impacted most residential streets. Fiber contractors have started installing lines that will service individual addresses. This work requires fiber crews to be much closer to residences, with crossings under driveways and through yards fronting the right of way.
Construction may result in disruptions to services. Please use the numbers below to report concerns or damages. Residents will receive the quickest response by reaching out to the fiber company doing the work.
The fiber contractors typically work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., using shallow, narrow trenching and boring to minimize damage to tree roots. Boring will be used if driveways need to be crossed.
Weather permitting, private property and public rights of way should be restored to original condition within three to five business days once construction in an area is complete.
For more details, see FAQ: Gigabit Fiber Construction on the town website.
Google Fiber concerns or damages
Lumos Fiber concerns or damages
Director of Market Development Andrew Stevenson:
Service questions
Use these contacts if you have questions about new service or want to report problems with existing service:
Hillsborough residents and property owners who are interested in learning more about fiber deployment in the area may contact Hillsborough Civil Engineering Technician Tyler Freeman by email.
Mysterious boom in Hillsborough confirmed as an 2.2 magnitude earthquake: 'Indeed an earthquake'
Cindy Baehttps://abc11.com/earthquake-nc-boom-loud-noise-hillsborough-2-point-two-magnitude-evacuation/13940335/
HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A cause of the mysterious loud boom that shook buildings and startled many people in Hillsborough on Thursday has been confirmed.Friday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) sent ABC11 this statement confirming it was an earthquake."We can confirm that it indeed was an earthquake. These small earthquakes often do not get picked up by our computer algorithms because they are so small. When we got felt reports, an analyst looked at it but initially thought it was a quarry blast because it is right nea...
HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A cause of the mysterious loud boom that shook buildings and startled many people in Hillsborough on Thursday has been confirmed.
Friday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) sent ABC11 this statement confirming it was an earthquake.
"We can confirm that it indeed was an earthquake. These small earthquakes often do not get picked up by our computer algorithms because they are so small. When we got felt reports, an analyst looked at it but initially thought it was a quarry blast because it is right near a quarry (visible on Google Earth). Re-examining it this morning, though, we confirmed that it was an earthquake."
USGS said it registered as a 2.2 magnitude quake.
Seymour Johnson AFB also sent ABC11 a confirmation that they didn't have any Fighter jets in the area on Thursday.
It happened shortly before noon.
"We have received numerous reports of a loud boom that caused buildings to shake (I heard and felt it in my building and assumed someone had dropped something on our roof). Several of our departments have investigated and have so far been unable to determine the cause," Orange County Community Relations Director Todd McGee said.
Orange County said Raleigh-Durham International Airport confirmed there was no recorded aircraft in the area at the time that could've caused a sonic boom.
Alivia Crouch was working at Studio 71 when she heard what she said sounded like the building was hit.
"It made my heart skip a beat," Crouch said.
"For some this was felt inside buildings and heard outside. So far we have ruled out any obvious causes (bombs, explosions, crashes, planes, extraterrestrial landings, building failures, etc.). It is possible that this may have been a small earthquake (although not currently registering on any seismographs). We will continue to investigate the cause," Orange County Emergency Services Director W. Kirby Saunders said.
Philip Singer was at home when he said he felt rumbling.
"It was the percussion from it, the shake of the ground in the house that surprised me," Singer said.
According to our newsgathering partners at the News & Observer, deputies evacuated the Orange County Courthouse immediately following the boom.
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