Water rushing into streets in Chile after earthquake

Water has also been observed rushing into the streets in Concon, Chile, and reports of damages to homes in the city of Illapel, Chile, have started coming in, according to the Interior Minister, Jorge Burgos.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) and Chilean Emergency Service (CES) are watching for the potential of tsunami waves hitting the Chilean coastline after the powerful 8.3 magnitude earthquake and a number of aftershocks.

So far there have been 4 aftershocks over magnitude 6 since the earthquake struck. About 20 minutes after the main earthquake, two magnitude 6.2 and 6.4 aftershocks hit the region, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The PTWC reports that tsunami waves reaching more than 3 meters are possible along some parts of the coast, including the possibility of tsunami waves 1 to 3 meters high along parts of the coasts of the French Polynesia. The PTWC recommended that government agencies “inform and instruct any coastal populations at risk.”

Coquimbo, Chile, saw a maximum wave height of over 5 meters as the first waves reached land, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center stated. And, according to a statement on twitter, a buoy just swelled 20 meters off the coast of Chile after the earthquake – that is the height of a 6-story building.