Mystery: Loud Boom Heard and Felt by Thousands in VA Beach and Chesapeake

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) -- Multiple reports came in Monday night after a loud boom was heard around the area. 

WAVY viewers have reported hearing the noise from southern Virginia Beach into Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Suffolk around 6:30 p.m. Several viewers say they had hanging photos fall off the walls after their houses shook.  

So far no damage or injuries have been reported. 

10 On Your Side reached out to the Navy to figure out if it was a sonic boom from a jet, and Navy spokesperson Cmdr. Dave Hecht says an F-18 Super Hornet was operating in the area at the time, but that he cannot confirm whether it was the cause of the noise. Hecht was originally unaware that jets were operating in the area at the time. 

NAS Oceana and Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Fentress are both in the area of where many of the callers are located. Many viewers say they saw and heard jets operating around Fentress between 6 and 7 p.m.

The U.S. Geological Survey also says no earthquakes were recorded, and there are no major power outages. Dominion says no transformers or power poles are on fire, despite rumors that something exploded in Sandbridge. 

Chief Meteorologist Don Slater shared how a mix of conditions could've combined to make the boom carry and be louder than usual. 

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