There were tremors in Florida after strong earthquakes struck off the Cuban coast

MIAMI — Florida residents reported feeling ground movement after two strong earthquakes struck off the coast of Cuba late Sunday morning, sparking brief fears that a tsunami could hit areas closest to the epicenter in the Caribbean.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the two earthquakes were reported within an hour of each other.

The first had a magnitude of 5.9 It was reported just before 11 a.m. ET about 22 miles south of Bartolomé Masó, Cuba, at a depth of about 9 miles.

The second earthquake, which was stronger, was reported an hour later, just before noon ET. This earthquake had a magnitude of 6.8 and occurred about 25 miles south of Bartolomé Masó at a depth of about 8 miles.

The powerful earthquake came days after Hurricane Rafael made landfall in western Cuba as a strong Category 3 cyclone, causing widespread power outages across the island. Rafael was the second hurricane to hit the island in a month. In October, Hurricane Oscar claimed at least six lives after hitting Cuba.

Shortly after the second earthquake was reported, the National Weather Service Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) responded. Honolulu has issued a corresponding warning There was no significant risk of a tsunami“There is a very slim possibility Tsunami Waves along the coasts closest to the epicenter.

The NWS National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska, said there was no risk of a tsunami for the US East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico or the east coast of Canada.

The PTWC said this was its only notification and that national authorities would determine the appropriate level of alerts for each country and may issue additional or more detailed information.

According to reports on the USGS website, people in Florida from Miami to Hollywood to Boca Raton to Orlando reported the ground shaking.

However, the city of Miami released a statement on Facebook saying that despite these reports on the USGS website, the impacts of the Florida earthquake were not reported.

This graphic on the USGS website shows locations where tremors were felt following earthquakes off the coast of Cuba on Sunday, November 10, 2024.

(FOX Weather)

“The City of Miami is aware that some residents in the Brickell/Downtown area may be concerned about the recent earthquake off the coast of Cuba, but we want to assure everyone that no earthquake or aftershocks will be felt in Miami,” the city said in the statement.

Officials said the fire department has received calls from concerned residents, but “we would like to emphasize that there is no cause for concern.”

So far there have been no reports of damage or injuries in Florida.

Residents of Jamaica also reported feeling the earthquake. Officials from the Office of Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management said people across the island felt movement but there was no threat of a tsunami.