Shortly after 5:00 p.m., January 12, a helicopter flying over the coastal zone of Baracoa brought unease to this city. In just 20 minutes, the word “tsunami” spread like wildfire among the citizens of Baracoa, causing people to look for safe shelter.
The 7.0 magnitude quake that hit Haiti at 4:53 p.m. —whose epicenter was only 18.45 km north from the capital Port-au-Prince— was also felt in the eastern Cuban provinces.
A few minutes later, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning for the area, including the Cuban coastal zone; where people were quickly put on alert to cess out the highest places to evacuate.
Although the Cuban National Center for Research on Earthquakes concluded that the likelihood of the tsunami hitting Cuba were minute, no one was willing to take the risk.
According to the head of “La Voz del Toa” CMDX information department Atmer Suárez Hinojosa, Baracoa citizens quickly reacted to the call to evacuate the city.
Municipal Defense Council President Eudis Romero Suárez said that the evacuees had come back to their homes although they have been told to remain on alert.
Municipal Assembly Vice President Freider Fuentes Vidal said that apart from the helicopter flying over Baracoa, fire-fighters, police officers, among others, contributed to the evacuation.
In the Cuban province of Guantánamo, very near to Haiti, people were immediately informed about the tsunami and civil defence measures were put into place.
Baracoa inhabitants have every reason to be afraid about devastating waves. Firstly, horrific images of a huge tsunami hitting the Indonesian island of Sumatra, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, India and other areas on December 26,2004 causing 280,000 casualties spread all over the world. Then, in March 2008, an unexpected swell, caused by a strong anticyclone on the north coast of Cuba, brought about considerable damages in Baracoa: more than 400 houses damaged or completely destroyed, as well as damage to sidewalks, drains, parks, markets, etc.
In addition, in September 2008, waves higher than 5 meters hit Baracoa destroying the La Punta fortress, built in the 18th century to preserve the city from the enemy.
Fortunately, it was just a warning. Anyway, Baracoa citizens showed to be prepared for events like this one.
http://www.juventudrebelde.co.cu/
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