By Black Headline News
According to the USGS, a 5.7 earthquake downgraded by the USGS to a of 5.4 M at a depth of 10 km occurred in the Portland Parish area (northeast Jamaica) on 30 October at 15:57 UTC (10:57 local time). The epicentre was located approximately 4 km west-northwest of Hope Bay Town. The European Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) originally measured the quake at 5.7.
The USGS PAGER estimates that more than 591,000 people were exposed to strong shaking and up to 12,000 people to very strong shaking--there were no significant casualties or damages, but the seismic event was felt across most parts of the country.
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said the country has a well-developed disaster response mechanism.
"We are very strong in terms of management, technical know-how, and experience," said Prime Minister Holness. "We are committed to ensuring that Jamaica is safe. From a fiscal perspective, we have put in place buffers to ensure that we are able to respond within the limits.”
He described the earthquake as the most significant the country had experienced in approximately 20 years.
He expressed confidence in the disaster response entities, including the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the Jamaica Defence Force, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the National Works Agency (NWA) and the National Water Commission (NWC).