A 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Central America today, November 24, 2016, at18:43:49 UTC and was felt in several countries across the region, just as Hurricane Otto made landfall in Nicaragua.
There have been no reports so far of damage or injuries from the earthquake. The quake struck just as Hurricane Otto, a category 2 storm with winds up to 110 miles per hour, reached the southeastern coast of Nicaragua. Thousands were evacuated from coast. Otto is bringing heavy rainfall, which may cause dangerous floods and mudslides.
The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning, as hazardous tsunami waves are possible within 300 km of the quake’s epicenter along the coasts of Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras. Nicaragua and El Salvador issued their own tsunami warnings after the earthquake. El Salvador’s environment minister Lina Pohl said waves as high as 6 feet may strike the coast.
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has declared a state of emergency in the country due to the earthquake and the hurricane.
Earthquake Distances:
• 149 km (92 mi) SSW of Puerto El Triunfo, El Salvador
• 159 km (98 mi) SSW of Usulutan, El Salvador
• 166 km (102 mi) SSW of San Rafael Oriente, El Salvador
• 170 km (105 mi) S of Zacatecoluca, El Salvador
• 195 km (120 mi) SSE of San Salvador, El Salvador
