A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean Sea southwest of the Cayman Islands on Saturday, prompting tsunami advisories and precautionary evacuations in several coastal regions, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The quake occurred at 6:23 p.m. local time, with its epicenter 130 miles (209 kilometers) south-southwest of George Town, Cayman Islands, at a depth of 10 kilometers, the USGS reported.
While the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed there was no tsunami threat to the U.S. mainland, it initially issued a tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The advisory was later canceled.
In Puerto Rico’s northwest region, alarms sounded, prompting residents to leave coastal areas and causing heavy traffic, according to local reports.
Hazard Management Cayman Islands urged people near the coast to move inland and seek higher ground, warning that waves between 0.3 to 1 meter could be expected.
Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González Colón stated that she was in contact with emergency agencies following the tsunami advisory but did not advise residents to leave the coast.
The Dominican Republic also issued a tsunami alert, recommending coastal residents relocate to higher ground at least 20 meters above sea level and two kilometers inland. However, this alert was later lifted.
Cuban authorities advised people to evacuate beachfront areas, while the Bahamas Department of Meteorology issued a tsunami advisory, instructing residents to remain alert.
Honduran officials reported no immediate damage but advised residents to stay away from beaches as a precaution.
Later, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned that some coasts of Cuba could see tsunami waves between 1 to 3 meters above the tide level.
