An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 has occurred 129 miles southwest of Georgetown, Cayman Islands, according to the USGS. A tsunami warning is the most urgent alert issued by the National Weather Service in the United States, and it means that people should move to higher ground or go inland. A tsunami advisory means people should get out of coastal waters and stay away from beaches and waterways. A tsunami watch means experts are evaluating the threat, so stay tuned for further information.

The earthquake took place at 6.23 p.m. Eastern Time Saturday, the USGS reported.

Based on all available data, there is a tsunami threat to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands as sea level fluctuations and strong ocean currents could be a hazard along coasts, beaches, in harbors and in coastal waters.

According to the US National Tsunami Warning Center, the earliest estimated time that hazardous sea level fluctuations and strong ocean currents may begin in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands is 8.48 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday.

The generation of tsunami waves has not yet been confirmed, and the NTWC is monitoring to evaluate the tsunami threat.

Residents in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are advised to move out of the water, off the beach and away from harbors, marinas, bays and inlets and not go to shore to observe the tsunami.

This story has been corrected to more accurately reflect the location of the earthquake.


This is a developing story and will be updated.