Caribbean Erupts in Chaos: 7.6 Magnitude Earthquake Triggers Evacuation Alerts for Coastal Residents

A magnitude-7.6 earthquake struck the Caribbean Sea south of the Cayman Islands on Saturday evening, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred at 6:23 p.m. local time, with an epicenter situated approximately 130 miles (209 kilometers) south-southwest of George Town and recorded at a depth of 10 kilometers.

In the immediate aftermath, warnings prompted authorities across several islands and nations to advise coastal residents to seek higher ground. While the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, this alert was subsequently canceled after further assessments indicated no significant threat.

Hazard Management Cayman Islands urged local inhabitants to move inland, predicting wave heights of 0.3 to 1 meter. Following these advisories, the government confirmed an “all clear” status via social media.

Penned notifications from Puerto Rico’s Governor, Jenniffer González Colón, indicated ongoing communication with emergency agencies; however, no evacuation from coastal regions was recommended at that time. Reports from Puerto Rico indicated that alarm sounds in the northwest region caused confusion and heavy traffic as residents evacuated the coast.

The Dominican Republic also temporarily advised residents to relocate to higher ground but later rescinded its tsunami alert. Meanwhile, authorities in Honduras reported no immediate damage and counseled residents to avoid coastal areas.

In Cuba, officials urged people to evacuate beachfront zones, while the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration noted that tsunami waves of 1 to 3 meters above tide levels could affect certain coastal regions of Cuba.