Caribbean Islands Reeling From 6.8 Magnitude Quake Hours Before Melissa’s Destruction

"Residents across the eastern Caribbean awoke to a powerful earthquake just after 8:30 a.m. as

buildings swayed and alarms sounded from Guadeloupe to St. Vincent. The quake, initially measured at magnitude 6.8 and later revised to 6.5 by the U.S. Geological Survey, struck while many were preparing for their day, sending people rushing outside and prompting swift evacuations in schools and hospitals. Local officials reported orderly evacuations as emergency drills were put into action." msn