Riviera Maya, Q.R. — Civil Protection personnel were out monitoring the coast of Quintana Roo Saturday night after a Cayman Island tsunami warning. The warning for the Caribbean island was released after a major 7.6 earthquake was registered earlier in the day.
Water levels around the island of Isla Mujeres registered an increase Saturday night, prompting Civil Protection personnel to monitor the coast. According to Civil Protection, authorities recorded a sea level increase of .11 meters.
On Saturday night, the Government of Isla Mujeres released a statement saying “as part of the protocol activated in coordination with the Quintana Roo State Civil Protection Coordination, our staff from the Municipal Civil Protection and Firefighters Coordination of Isla Mujeres are conducting patrols on the cliffs, Malecón Oriente, Mar Caribe and Punta Sur, inviting the population to withdraw from these areas as a preventive measure.
“We will continue to monitor the waves. No damage has been reported in the municipality, but it is important to stay informed through official sources.”
Later, the State Coordination of Civil Protection of Quintana Roo reported that the Navy, through the Tsunami Warning Center (CAT-SEMAR), confirmed the details of the earthquake that was felt in Quintana Roo.
According to the state agency, the Tsunami Warning Center (CAT-SEMAR) confirmed the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.5 and originated at 17:23 hours (local time) 209 km southwest of George Town, Cayman Islands with a depth of 33 km.
According to the Tsunami Warning Center, there was no danger expected for the Quintana Roo coasts, however, strong currents could be registered at the entrances of the ports of the Mexican Caribbean. The population was asked to be attentive to the official notices of the Harbor Master’s Office and the Navy as a preventive measure while they continued monitoring Saturday night.
At 18:17 local time, the recorded increase of water above tide reached 0.11 meters in along the coast. The Port Authority of Isla Mujeres urged the nautical community to take precautions due to possible rising sea levels and strong currents caused by the earthquake.
Governor Mara Lezama posted “important information from CNPC_MX, regarding the earthquake in the Cayman Islands and its effects on our coasts. We continue to report and pay attention to the instructions of the port authorities,” she said, acknowledging the coastal monitoring.
Playa del Carmen Mayor Estefanía Mercado also posted a public notice regarding the tsunami warning and subsequent monitoring of local beach areas.
“Following the instructions of our Governor Mara Lezama, the team from the Civil Protection, Risk Prevention and Fire Department of Solidaridad carried out a preventive tour of our coasts, confirming that everything remains normal.
“We remain attentive and in constant monitoring. We invite you to stay informed through official channels and to be on the lookout for future reports.”
After a Civil Protection tour of the coast, Estefania reported that everything was found to be normal.
