Earlier today, a 7.7 earthquake was detected between Cuba and Jamaica around 2:10 p.m., shaking people in the Caribbean and residents in South Florida.
Magnitude 7.7 #earthquake strikes near #Jamaica and #Cuba. Felt in parts of Florida. https://t.co/fLViRX9zgV
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) January 28, 2020
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a number of people in South Florida reported the shaking, with buildings in the area being evacuated. The Miami-Dade Police Department confirms that the Stephen P. Clark Center in downtown Miami was evacuated as a precaution.
Reports of shaking stretched across Florida, with people feeling tremors from West Palm Beach down to the keys.
The 7.7 magnitude earthquake near Jamaica was felt all over Florida, All those red dots are reports of people feeling the quake! Some reports as far north as Orlando! pic.twitter.com/P8c34wzAgU
— Mike Lyons (@wpbf_mike) January 28, 2020
City of Miami Police said there were reports of vibrations in Downtown and Brickell, where some buildings were voluntarily evacuated, though there was no evacuation order. There were no injuries or damages reported, police said.
UPDATE: Some buildings in the #Brickell area are currently being evacuated. At this time, NO reported injuries & NO road closures. https://t.co/2eKDhRWLvY
— Miami PD (@MiamiPD) January 28, 2020
An earthquake of this magnitude is categorized as a major quake, capable of causing serious damage. At this point, there are no immediate reports of damage or injuries.