ALABAMA — Residents in and around Birmingham reported hearing and feeling a very loud boom Tuesday afternoon—some say their homes shook.
The United States Geological Survey has not detected an earthquake in the area and there was no explosion or smoke reported.
The unknown event was reported in Cullman, Walker, St. Clair, Jefferson, Calhoun and Blount Counties.
The National Weather Service in Birmingham tweeted: Re: loud boom heard: we do not see anything indicating large fire/smoke on radar or satellite; nothing on USGS indicating an earthquake. We don’t have an answer, and can only hypothesize with you. 1) sonic boom from aircraft; 2) meteorite w/ current Leonid shower?
Law enforcement agencies were looking for a possible cause but have found no evidence of what caused the sound.
Re: loud boom heard: we do not see anything indicating large fire/smoke on radar or satellite; nothing on USGS indicating an earthquake. We don’t have an answer, and can only hypothesize with you. 1) sonic boom from aircraft; 2) meteorite w/ current Leonid shower?
— NWS Birmingham (@NWSBirmingham) November 14, 2017
Reports of a loud sound coming in from various parts of the county. We will post information as soon as it becomes available.
— St. Clair County EMA (@stclairema) November 14, 2017
Has anyone heard a loud explosion in west Blount County? We’ve recieved several calls between Spunky Hollow Rd and Cannons Crossing. Law Enforcement is currently patrolling the area.
— Blount County 9-1-1 (@BlountCounty911) November 14, 2017
Anybody else hear a loud boom in the Blount County area around 1:50 p.m.?
— Wes Wyatt (@weswyattweather) November 14, 2017
Heard on front porch in Leeds Al. Ears rang
— Ron (@1rowojr) November 14, 2017
No injuries have been reported.