The Haitian Earthquake Disaster

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http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/12/haiti.earthquake/index.html

7.0 earthquake hits Haiti sparking tsunami watch
January 12, 2010 -- Updated 2301 GMT (0701 HKT)

(CNN) -- A major earthquake struck just off the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, sparking a tsunami watch for parts of the Caribbean, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Raymond Joseph, Haiti's ambassador to the United States, told CNN he had little information about the extent of damage from the quake, which had a reported magnitude of 7.0. But he said the suffering inflicted on the impoverished Caribbean nation was likely to be "catastrophic."

"The only thing I can do now is pray and hope for the best," he said.

Joseph said one government official -- the only one he was able to reach -- told him houses had crumbled "on the right side of the street and the left side of the street."

The Associated Press reported that a hospital had collapsed.

The quake had a reported magnitude of 7.0 and was centered about 10 miles (16 km) off the coast and about 6 miles (10 km) underground, according to the USGS. Are you there? Submit an iReport

A tsunami watch was posted for Haiti and parts of Cuba, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas, but historical data suggests a destructive, widespread tsunami was not a threat, the USGS reported.

The quake could be felt strongly in the eastern Cuban city of Santiago, about 250 miles west of Port-au-Prince.

"It was very strong. It lasted for almost a minute," said Marlon Romaguera, who runs a bed-and-breakfast there.


I live in the Dominican Republic and i felt this. It wasnt nice at all :huh:
 
Wow, It looks like this quake will be huge. Lots of buildings down etc.


Hope everything's ok
 
Thousands feared dead as huge earthquake destroys UN headquarters in Haiti
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6985823.ece
Thousands of people were feared dead after a powerful earthquake measuring 7.0 rocked the impoverished Caribbean nation of Haiti last night, toppling buildings and causing widespread damage and panic.

The United Nations headquarters was one of scores of buildings that were toppled, including the presidential palace,government buildings and a cathedral. Roads and bridges also lay in ruins.

Communications were widely disrupted, making it impossible to get a clear picture of the damage as violent aftershocks shook the country, where many buildings are flimsy. Electricity was lost in some places.

Karel Zelenka, a Catholic Relief Services representative in the capital, Port-au-Prince, told American colleagues before the phone line went dead that “there must be thousands of people dead”. Sara Fajardo, a spokeswoman for the aid group, based in Maryland, said: “He reported that it was just total disaster and chaos, that there were clouds of dust surrounding Port-au-Prince.”

A local member of the UN staff in Port au Prince said: "The headquarters of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti has been destroyed in large part. There are numerous people underneath the rubble, both dead and injured."

A tsunami alert for the Caribbean region was issued immediately after the earthquake struck at 9.53pm GMT. Minutes after the initial tremor, there were two aftershocks, measuring 5.9 and 5.5.

“I think it’s really a catastrophe of major proportions,” said Raymond Joseph, Haitian Ambassador to the United States. The US Geological Survey said that the epicentre of the earthquake was 16km (10 miles) from Port-au-Prince, which has a population of 2.5 million.

Joseph Delva, a reporter in Pétionville, an affluent suburb, said that one three-storey building was toppled and a tractor was at the scene trying to dig out victims.

“Everything started shaking, people were screaming, houses started collapsing . . . it’s total chaos,” he said.

In New York, UN chief Ban Ki-moon spoke of his concern for the local UN mission, which has been in Haiti since 2004.

"My heart goes out to the people of Haiti after this devastating earthquake," said Mr Ban. "At this time of tragedy, I am very concerned for the people of Haiti and also for the many United Nations staff who serve there."

Tom Jordan, an earthquake expert at the University of Southern California, said that the earthquake’s size and proximity to the capital had probably caused widespread casualties. “It’s going to be a real killer,” he said.

Henry Bahn, a US Department of Agriculture official visiting Port-au-Prince, said that he was walking to his hotel room when the ground began to shake.

“I just held on and bounced across the wall,” he said. “I just heard a tremendous amount of noise and shouting and screaming in the distance. The sky is just grey with dust.”

Mr Bahn said there were rocks strewn about and he saw a ravine where several homes had stood: “It’s just full of collapsed walls and rubble and barbed wire.”

In Thomassin, just outside Port-au-Prince, Alain Denis said that neighbours had told him that the only road to the capital had been cut and that the phones were all dead.

President Obama said the United States stood ready to help.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been affected by this earthquake,” he said. “We are closely monitoring the situation and we stand ready to assist the people of Haiti.”
 
Great ****ing way to start 2010. :down All I have to say.
 
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I wish them the best, that island's never gonna get on it's feet, as far back as I can remember they've had a hard time. 4 hurricanes last year and now this!
 
I was suppose to go to Haiti a few weeks ago to see my dad. Now this happens, I can't even imagine what he's going through. Let alone I can't even contact him...
 
I was suppose to go to Haiti a few weeks ago to see my dad. Now this happens, I can't even imagine what he's going through. Let alone I can't even contact him...

Jesus...I hope he's okay man.
 
I was suppose to go to Haiti a few weeks ago to see my dad. Now this happens, I can't even imagine what he's going through. Let alone I can't even contact him...
You have any idea where he was at the time of the quake?

(Like was he at Port-Au-Prince?)

And have you tried his cell phone? Perhaps you'll get better luck
 
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****... Hope your Dad is okay Iron Fist...
 
Amazing, 10 days into the new decade and we alkready have a major catastrophe :csad:. Thank god there was no tsunami though. Though one thought that hurts me is that what if one of the mountains at the coast have alandslide and get in the ocean? That can cause a tsunami somewhere else entirely
 
Jesus...I hope he's okay man.

So do I, but that goes for the rest of my family members.

You have any idea where he was at the time of the quake?

(Like was he at Port-Au-Prince?)

And have you tried his cell phone? Perhaps you'll get better luck

I know where he was at, he was in Petionville. My mom and I tried calling him but he's not picking up.

****... Hope your Dad is okay Iron Fist...

Thanks man.
 
I was suppose to go to Haiti a few weeks ago to see my dad. Now this happens, I can't even imagine what he's going through. Let alone I can't even contact him...

Sorry to hear than man. If it's any consolation, you are not the only one, my wife's family is from there and she's not been able to contact her mom or younger brother yet.
 
Man, I hope that area wasn't ravaged, Hope for the best buddy

There were buildings and houses that collapsed.

Sorry to hear than man. If it's any consolation, you are not the only one, my wife's family is from there and she's not been able to contact her mom or younger brother yet.

Sorry to hear, I can't contact anyone else either. Where in Haiti is your wife's family from?
 
I heard about this earlier...so incredibly sad. :csad:

I hope your families are safe ChickenScratch and Iron Fist.
 
There were buildings and houses that collapsed.
Sorry to hear, I can't contact anyone else either. Where in Haiti is your wife's family from?

Seems the phones there are down. Where's her family from? I haven't a clue but it's not in the city. I've never been there and she's not been there since she was 3 (her aunt raised her).

I've been in earthquakes in Jamaica and it's not something you ever want to experience.
 
Seems the phones there are down. Where's her family from? I haven't a clue but it's not in the city. I've never been there and she's not been there since she was 3 (her aunt raised her).

I've been in earthquakes in Jamaica and it's not something you ever want to experience.

It seems though that internet works, people have been able to talk to CNN via Skype.
 
Thankfully there doesnt seem to be any damages in my country, we just got the scare of it. My thoughts and prayers go out to Haiti in this time though, they did get the worse part of it. People here are already gathering water, medicine and basic stuff to try and get over there.

Iron Fist and ChickenScratch: i hope ur families are all right!
 
Haiti isn't even considered a 3rd world country anymore...its a 4th world country. This Earthquake happening just make things so much worse for this already impoverished country. This is terrible :csad:
 
Yeah, this is not going to make it any easier for them down there, which it already wasn't. Considering our relative distance to the area, I assume we'll be assisting.
 

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