Gov’t urges caution after earthquake near Caymans triggers tsunami alert

Warning sirens go off in Arecibo; panicked citizens rush to evacuate

Tsunami warning sirens alarmed residents in Arecibo, Aguadilla and Aguada, who fled the coastal sections of the northern towns in large numbers on Saturday evening. (Facebook via WLPR•Radio Raíces•1460 AM)

By The Star Staff

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón was in constant communication with the Puerto Rico Seismic Network and the Bureau of Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (NMEAD by its acronym in Spanish) in response to the tsunami warning issued Saturday evening after an earthquake struck in the Caribbean Sea near the Cayman Islands.

The tsunami warning sirens went off in Arecibo, causing a panic that sent residents fleeing the northern coastal city in droves. Similar scenes played out down the coast to the west in Aguada and Aguadilla, according to social media posts. Tsunami warning sirens did not go off in Carolina.

NMEAD Operations Director Ángel Vázquez clarified that the warning did not require evacuations. However, as a precaution, the governor urged people to leave the water immediately, especially on the western and southern coasts of the island.

“Although a major event is not expected, as a safety measure no one should be in the water until further notice,” Vázquez said. “It is important to follow official information and avoid spreading rumors.”

Tsunami warnings advise on fluctuations in sea level and strong ocean currents that could be a danger to coasts, beaches, ports and coastal waters.

The Puerto Rico Seismic Network adjusted the magnitude of the earthquake, which had been reported variously as 7.6 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, to 6.7, indicating a reduced risk of a greater impact.

The National Weather Service canceled the tsunami warning for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands less than two hours after the earthquake was recorded.