According to Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green, reports have been saying that a 5.4 magnitude earthquake had hit Jamaica, although no casualties or injuries were said to have occurred.
According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake's epicentre took place near Hope Bay, in Portland. No major damage was reported, but quake had a depth of six miles (10 kilometres), causing heavy shaking and power outages, as people were ordered to evacuate from the building.
Acting Director General, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson, encouraged people to inspect their buildings for cracks, shifts in pillars, posts and other beams and structural members, and to seek a professional assessment if there is any damage. “We preach to the public all the time as it relates to the ‘drop, cover, hold’ principle, and I know sometimes when you have not experienced anything of this nature, you tend to forget some of these principles,” he said.
Whilst Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared that the earthquake affected the phone service and electricity, he urged people to be in a safe place and stay calm. Mr. Green went on to say that the combined effect of the last year’s extensive drought, rising temperatures, and the recent heavy rainfall have caused serious dislocation among farmers.
