The Leroy, Ohio earthquake occurred on January 31, 1986, with an estimated M big magnitude of 5.0. Two power plants are located within 20 km of the epicenter area. This event was recorded at one of the two power plants. The recorded data were used to confirm the mathematical model and damping values used in design. The recorded event had high frequency, high acceleration, but low velocity and small displacement. The calculated response spectra from the records are well enveloped by the power plant design response spectra except around the 20 Hz region. Power plant equipment and structures were inspected and no earthquake induced damage was reported. Conservative analytical examination of the passive and the potentially most sensitive active safety related equipment revealed adequate margins against design allowables. Appendix A of Title 10, Part 100 of Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 100) requires plant shutdown for inspection in case of Operating Basis Earthquake (OBE) exceedance. The experience gained from the January 31, 1986, Leroy, Ohio earthquake is that plants should continue operating in case of spectra exceedance that are only in the high frequency region as was the case at Perry. As a lower bound guideline, if recorded earthquake duration is less than one second and the recorded maximum velocity and displacement at the foundation level are equal to or less than 2.54 cm/s and 0.2 cm respectively, based on the Perry experience the plant should continue to operate. At this level of earthquake motions, the amount of energy transferred to plant structures, systems and components is considered non-damaging to engineered items. These lower bound guidelines could be raised after additional analysis.