7.0 Earthquake Rocks Haiti, Reports of Much Damage, Casualties and Deaths

CATASTROPHIC!!!

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a magnitude 7.0 quake struck Haiti shortly before 5 pm and was centered about 10 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince. As reported by the AP, US officials reported bodies in the streets and many feared dead. An aid official described “total disaster and chaos.”

Numerous pics of the devastation can be seen HERE.

Please pray for those in Haiti. The Haiti Ambassador to the US said stated, “please tell the world that Haiti needs them right now.”

The United States has always come to the aid of Haiti in the past and will once again step up to the plate to help the people of Haiti in the wake of this terrible disaster.

A major earthquake struck southern Haiti on Tuesday, knocking down buildings and power lines and inflicting what its ambassador to the United States called a catastrophe for the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation.

Several eyewitnesses reported heavy damage and bodies in the streets of the capital, Port-au-Prince, where concrete-block homes line steep hillsides. There was no estimate of the dead and wounded Tuesday evening, but the U.S. State Department has been told to expect “serious loss of life,” department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters in Washington.

Many more pics can be seen HERE.

There are reports of damage and casualties. Communications have been badly affected and in many areas there have been loss of electricity.

“It’s really dark, there’s no electricity. There’s a lot of cars on the streets, and people are afraid to get inside of the house. We cannot expect electricity for anytime soon,” said Pedrel.

“I see a lot of people on the streets, crying for help. I know there’s a lot of people under the building collapse. A lot of traffic, people crying, people bleeding. It’s a disaster,” Pedrel said.

It is also being reported that there are bodies in the street. US official said a “serious loss of life” was expected. I cringe to think what the loss of life may be like in this impoverished Caribbean nation.

Witnesses reported damaged buildings throughout the capital, including the president’s residence and century-old homes nearby, and The Associated Press reported that a hospital collapsed. President Rene Preval is safe, Joseph said, but there was no estimate of the dead and wounded Tuesday evening.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, this is about the last thing that Haiti needed. What they will need is our support, help and prayers.

The NY Post is reporting it as a 7.3 magnitude earthquake with two powerful aftershocks measuring 5.9 and 5.5 on the Richter scale.

The Red Cross pledged an initial $200,000 in aid. “We do have staff on the ground – we have not been able to reach them,” said Red Cross spokesman Abbi Weaver.

Witnesses said the streets of the capital were full of panicked people, and screams were coming from under the piles of rubble seen everywhere.

People were clawing at the rubble with their bare hands, trying to save loved ones, witnesses said.

Relief Agencies Ready Haiti Preparations: Government Agencies and Nonprofits Ready to Help Haiti after Earthquake and Reports of “Significant Damage”

UPDATE I: Disaster Alert: Earthquake in Haiti

The American Red Cross is pledging an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by this earthquake, and is prepared to take further action as local responders assess the situation. As with most earthquakes, we expect to see immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.

The American Red Cross is accepting donations, you can donate through their International Response Fund.

Phone lines are down in Haiti, he said, but families can call the embassy in Washington at 202-332-4090.