A strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Cuba Monday afternoon, with residents across Florida reporting shaking from Tampa to Orlando to Jacksonville.
The epicenter was located about 60 miles west-northwest of Mantua, Cuba, in the southeastern Gulf, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake struck at a depth of about 26 kilometers (16 miles) shortly after 2 p.m.
Residents reported feeling the shake to local media outlets across the state. Several counties took precautionary action. Media outlets have reported Lake County closed all its offices for the remainder of the day, along with buildings in Orange and Seminole counties were evacuated after employees reported feeling their structures move.
According to the USGS National Earthquake Information Center, there is a low likelihood of significant damage. Little to no population was exposed to dangerous shaking levels and no economic losses or shaking-related fatalities are expected.
News Channel 8 Chief Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli said in a WFLA article, that an earthquake of this magnitude is rare in this part of the world, calling it the largest on record in the northern Gulf.
A USGS spokesperson told Spectrum Bay News 9, that given the size of the quake there mat be further aftershocks over the next few day.
The National Weather Service issued a statement confirming there is no tsunami warning, advisory, watch, or threat in effect.
Did you feel the shake? Send your story to the Tampa Bay Observer.