What started as a quiet Saturday evening turned into chaos and fear as a massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake shook the Caribbean Sea, forcing thousands of people to flee coastal areas in fear of a tsunami. The earthquake struck at 6:23 p.m. local time, centered about 130 miles south-southwest of George Town, Cayman Islands, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
“It Felt Like the Ground Was Alive”
For those who experienced it, the shaking was sudden, violent, and unforgettable. People sitting at dinner felt their glasses rattle. Others ran out of their homes, fearing the walls might collapse. Some compared it to a deep roar from the earth, followed by waves of motion that made standing nearly impossible.
“It felt like the ground was alive,” said one witness from the Cayman Islands. “At first, I thought it was a passing truck, but then the whole house started shaking, and I knew we had to get out.”
Tsunami Warnings Set Off a Wave of Fear
The earthquake was strong enough to trigger tsunami warnings, and within minutes, emergency alerts flashed across phones and TV screens, urging people in coastal areas to move to higher ground immediately.
- Cuba: Authorities ordered immediate evacuations in low-lying areas, warning that waves up to 10 feet could slam the coast.
- Puerto Rico & the Dominican Republic: In some areas, people jumped into cars and sped inland, causing traffic jams as families tried to escape the coast.
- Cayman Islands: Residents were told to stay off the beaches and be prepared for aftershocks.
- Honduras & Jamaica: Tsunami alerts were briefly issued but later canceled when no major waves appeared.
Tsunami Threat Over—But Is the Danger Really Gone?
By late evening, the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that the tsunami risk had passed, bringing some relief. But experts aren’t calling it over just yet.
Aftershocks are expected. Some could be strong enough to cause more shaking and possibly even damage weakened structures.
Ocean currents may still be unpredictable. Even though the tsunami didn’t happen, strong waves and surges could still be dangerous near the coast.
What Happens Next?
Thankfully, there are no confirmed reports of major injuries or destruction, but teams are still assessing the damage. The earthquake struck along a seismic fault line where strong quakes are common, meaning that aftershocks could continue for days.
For now, authorities are urging people to:
- Stay updated with official news sources.
- Be ready for aftershocks—they could come when you least expect them.
- Stay away from the beaches for at least 24 hours.
