Thread: Major Earthquake in Haiti

Major quake hits Haiti; many casualties expected

By JONATHAN M. KATZ, Associated Press Writer Jonathan M. Katz, Associated Press Writer – 1 min ago

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – The largest earthquake ever recorded in the area rocked Haiti on Tuesday, collapsing a hospital where people screamed for help and damaging other buildings. An aid official described "total disaster and chaos."

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

Karel Zelenka, a Catholic Relief Services representative in the capital of Port-au-Prince, told U.S. colleagues before phone service failed that "there must be thousands of people dead," according to a spokeswoman for the aid group, Sara Fajardo.

"He reported that it was just total disaster and chaos, that there were clouds of dust surrounding Port-au-Prince," Fajardo said from the group's offices in Maryland.

The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.0 and was centered about 10 miles (15 kilometers) west of Port-au-Prince, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It had a depth of 5 miles (8 kilometers). It was the largest quake recorded in the area and the first major one since a magnitude-6.7 temblor in 1984, USGS analyst Dale Grant said.

My thoughts and prayers to the people there, they barely have the infrastructure to function under normal circumstances, with this, its going to be ugly.

I feel for the common folk there. However, Haiti has been a money pit for decades. They have already asked the USA for money - we've spent billions there over the years, but the place is a festering sore in the region. No progress has been made in the past 100 years. I don't see what good sending money will do - their crooked politicians will enrich themselves and the common folk will continue to do without.

Originally Posted by Commodore

Major quake hits Haiti; many casualties expected



My thoughts and prayers to the people there, they barely have the infrastructure to function under normal circumstances, with this, its going to be ugly.

yes my prayers as well.

Awful, and it's one of the places worst equipped to deal with it given the population and dynamics.

The United States has immediately mobilized to address Haiti's catastrophe:

“The United States is offering our full assistance to Haiti and to others in the region. We will be providing both civilian and military disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.” — Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state¹

“We are committed to do whatever we can to assist the people of Haiti in their relief, rebuilding and recovery efforts.” — President Bill Clinton, a UN special envoy for Haiti²

“My thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been affected by this earthquake. We are closely monitoring the situation and we stand ready to assist the people of Haiti.” — President Barack Obama³

God bless America!

And don't forget Canada's role. We have a huge Hatian population so naturally there are a ton of concerned people here.

Canada ready to help people of Haiti after devastating quake: PM

Canada stands ready to provide emergency assistance to people in Haiti, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Tuesday after a catastrophic earthquake struck the island nation, toppling buildings and knocking out communications.

God bless Canada.

Originally Posted by Danny

And don't forget Canada's role. We have a huge Hatian population so naturally there are a ton of concerned people here.

Canada ready to help people of Haiti after devastating quake: PM



God bless Canada.

If that is the case then why did they not ask Canada first and not the United States for Help?

I do agree that is not going to be easy putting things back together again after a quake like this, Alaska under went one much like this back in 1964.

This one was so out of the blue, from the maps there is little to no quakes in this area, so for one this big to hit...

I do wounder where the Aid is going to land, where the airports or ports closed because of damage?

Originally Posted by AkDiesel

I do wounder where the Aid is going to land, where the airports or ports closed because of damage?

The latest update says that most of the capital city is destroyed. My heart goes out to them. Those of us who live in earthquake country know what it is to be cut off and not know anything and how hard that hits. Thousands are already lost over there. I hope that we can all get in and help and those people. This is terrible.

Originally Posted by Commodore

Major quake hits Haiti; many casualties expected



My thoughts and prayers to the people there, they barely have the infrastructure to function under normal circumstances, with this, its going to be ugly.

It's good of you to provide that map of the epicenter. Thanks

Originally Posted by floridamaggie

I feel for the common folk there. However, Haiti has been a money pit for decades. They have already asked the USA for money - we've spent billions there over the years, but the place is a festering sore in the region. No progress has been made in the past 100 years. I don't see what good sending money will do - their crooked politicians will enrich themselves and the common folk will continue to do without.

Not really relevant in this case. I agree that you shouldn´t send money into a bottomless pit, but here we´re talking about humanitarian aid in a crisis situation, which directly affects the life or death of many people... if that cost a few taxpayer dollars, so be it. Fine by me.

Originally Posted by Maddox

Not really relevant in this case. I agree that you shouldn´t send money into a bottomless pit, but here we´re talking about humanitarian aid in a crisis situation, which directly affects the life or death of many people... if that cost a few taxpayer dollars, so be it. Fine by me.

We dont have any tax dollars. The govt spent it all and more. Maybe the rest of the world needs to take care of it for once.

Originally Posted by AkDiesel

I do wounder where the Aid is going to land, where the airports or ports closed because of damage?

It's going to come via helicopters flying off US Navy ships, just like during the Tsunami.

Matt

So we will borrow money from china to give it to Haiti, not a good idea.

Why not ask for donations from private americans. We will give, but lets not go further into debt to do it.

I just cnat wrap my head around spending taxpayer money rebuilding a country that for the last 100 years has proven it cant stand on its own. If they want the US to rebuild, and support them then become the 51st state and contribute to the pie.

10-degree Map Centered at 20°N,75°W

There was a 5.3 aftershock in the last hour