People across south Florida reported feeling a 6.1-magnitude earthquake centered off the western tip of Cuba on Monday, a reminder that the region may have more than hurricane losses to think about.
No injuries or damage were reported, but residents and workers as far north as Orlando said they felt the shaking and vibrations Monday afternoon, according to news sites, social media postings and the National Weather Service.
Miami-Dade County officials evacuated several buildings as a precautionary measure. That included the 28-story county government building, the Associated Press reported. And service for commuter trains in the area was halted for a while.
Maria Moncayo, at a law office in downtown Fort Lauderdale, said she had been working at her desk when she felt vibrations. She compared it to someone doing construction in another part of the building, and it lasted about a minute or so, AP noted.
No tsunami danger was imminent, the Miami Herald reported.
The Caribbean has seen its share of earthquakes through the centuries, but few have been stronger than 7.5 on the Richter scale, the U.S. Geological Survey information shows. Quakes registering 7 or above are considered major. The largest earthquake ever was a 9.5-magnitude giant that struck Chile in 1960, killing more than 1,600 people, the USGS noted.
In 2024, the eastern part of Cuba experienced a 6.8-magnitude temblor. A 7.7-level quake was recorded near Cuba, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands in 2020, according to news reports and Cayman official reports.
Florida is considered a low-risk state for earthquake losses. Premiums for earthquake insurance in low-risk areas, including the East Coast of the United States, can run 50 cents to 90 cents per $1,000 of coverage, per year, depending on the deductible and other factors, the Insurance Information Institute reports.
Map: Showing the Near Caribbean tectonic plate lines and approximate epicenter of Monday’s quake (in red). (AdobeStock image)
Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Florida
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