7.0 Earthquake In Haiti: Tsunami Warning, Hospital Collapses 
Update: 9:02pm PST
Information is still hard to get coming out of Haiti about the earthquake, but the American Red Cross have begun their relief efforts in the country.
There is still no definite report of injuries or deaths.
According to the USGS, the U.S. Coast Guard positions cutters and aircraft near Haiti to aid humanitarian efforts after the earthquake.
If you wish to donate you can text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross.
Update: 6:29pm PST
The United States State Dept has set up a toll-free number to call for information about family members in Haiti: 1-888-407-4747.
Communitcation to the island of Haiti appears to be almost impossible at this time, with phone lines down and no communication can be made with the airport either.
The United Nations building in Haiti has sustained serious damage and a large number of UN personnel are unaccounted for.
Injuries and deaths are being reported to be in the thousands at this time, but due to the large number of people still listed as missing, a definite number cannot be made at this time.
Aid agencies are on their way to the country now.
Previous reporting:
A 7.0-magnitude earthquake has struck Haiti at 4:53 PM local time, according to U.S. Geological Survey website. The epicenter is reported to be 15 kilometres (10 miles) south west of the capital of Port-au-Prince. It is being reported that a hospital has collapsed in Petionville. CNN is reporting screams for help were heard. The earthquake has also prompted a tsunami warning, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. A local tsunami warning is in effect for Haiti, Cuba, Bahamas and Dominican Republic. There are now reports of two aftershocks: 5.9 and 5.0 in magnitude that followed at 5:00 and 5:12 PM.
USGS has released maps of the earthquake.
Haiti is the second poorest country in the Americas. The ambassador of Haiti has told CNN the earthquake is a "catastrophe of major proportions."
A major earthquake, of magnitude 7 or higher, is capable of causing widespread and heavy damage. There was no immediate report of casualties.
The quake was originally reported at a 7.3 by the USGS, but was later downgraded to a 7.0.
In the latest update, the tsunami warning has been lifted.
A DESTRUCTIVE WIDESPREAD TSUNAMI THREAT DOES NOT EXIST BASED ON HISTORICAL EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI DATA.
Cell phone and landline communications are down in Haiti's capital right now.
The American Red Cross is pledging an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by this earthquake. The association says it is prepared to take further action as local responders assess the situation.
Photos of destroyed houses and panicked people are now appearing on Twitter. Here is another collection of photos pulled from Twitter.
Don't forget to check NowPublic's scan to see what is being talked about online in relation to the earthquake.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (26)
at 15:07 on January 12th, 2010
Oh, those poor people!
at 15:32 on January 12th, 2010
Thanks for the Story. I got an a USGS alert. Our family sponsors two children who live in Ganthier Haiti just 20 miles from Port-Au-Prince. The Phones are down, so I am unable to contact the Mission to Haiti folks just 10 miles SW of Port-au-Prince. Keep them in your prayers.
at 16:13 on January 12th, 2010
Source: newsroom.redcross.org
Source: unicefusa.org
at 16:33 on January 12th, 2010
First Twitfog. Realtime Images
at 16:33 on January 12th, 2010
First Twitfog. Realtime Images
at 17:11 on January 12th, 2010
The International Airport in Haiti is still operating according to reports.
at 17:33 on January 12th, 2010
Update: 5:33pm
However, communication cannot be established any more with the airport so flights are not being sent there at this time.
at 18:17 on January 12th, 2010
Statement from USAID:
U-S aid agency to send teams of up to 72 people, 6 search and rescue dogs and up to 48 tons of rescue equipment
at 18:36 on January 12th, 2010
Natural calamities are strucking so frequently and UN should establish a permanent fund to help those affected by such calamities.Raising funds at the last moment doesn't help much,a good many victims of Tsunami,earthquake do not receive timely help.
at 18:46 on January 12th, 2010
Great point - there called the (UN) United Nations, not the (SN) Special Nations or Separate Nations.
at 18:49 on January 12th, 2010
WOW, the photo show a lot of damage, people hurt and in panic... 18 earthquakes in a five hour span and it does not seem to be slowing or have lessened. The first was the hardest and strongest, with 17 quakes from 5.9 mag to 4.2 magnitude.
"ALL OF THESE QUAKES ARE AT A DEPTH OF 10 km ( 6.2137 miles)".
These people had no chance or warning, the earth did not give one to anyone. I am glad people are helping and sending relief, they will need it big time.
PUERTO RICO has and has been having their fair share of earthquakes for a while and it seems to be "almost" common to see Puerto Rico on the USGS lists of earthquakes, but these are mostly 3.5 magnitude and below in servarity - does this mean that all bets or off and anything goes in this region now? Sadly only time will tell.
Malawi had a 4.8 quake also
at 18:46 on January 12th, 2010
my thoughts are with the haitian people
at 20:55 on January 12th, 2010
Catastrophe In Haiti. 7 .3 Magnitude Earthquake Devastates The Country An image obtained from Twitter purportedly shows Haitians standing amid rubble after the earthquake in Port-au-Prince. (AFP/Getty Images)
7.0 Quake Leaves Haiti Capital In 'Total Disaster And Chaos' -- L.A. Times
People wail from the rubble across Port-au-Prince, where a hospital reportedly collapsed and bodies lie in the streets. One aid official estimates 'there must be thousands of people dead.'
Reporting from Mexico City - A mighty earthquake rocked the tiny, impoverished island nation of Haiti today, collapsing a hospital, the presidential palace and other buildings and triggering what one diplomat called a "catastrophe."
As night fell on the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince and other towns, reports of extensive destruction were trickling out. Tsunami alerts were issued for Cuba, the Bahamas and much of the Caribbean.
Read more ....
Buildings damaged by an earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Tuesday. Tequila Minsky for The New York Times
at 20:56 on January 12th, 2010
More News On The Disaster In Haiti
Major quake hits Haiti; many casualties expected -- Yahoo News/AP
Big Haiti quake topples buildings, many casualties -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Fears of major catastrophe as 7.0 quake rocks Haiti -- Yahoo News/AFP
Thousands feared dead as huge earthquake destroys UN headquarters in Haiti -- Times Online
Many feared dead as huge earthquake hits Haiti -- The Guardian
Witnesses Describe 'Catastrophic' Aftermath of Haiti Earthquake -- FOX News
7.0 quake hits Haiti; 'Serious loss of life' expected -- CNN
Ferocious Earthquake Rocks Haiti -- Wall Street Journal
Powerful Earthquake Devastates Haiti -- New York Times
US Reaches out to Quake-Hit Haiti -- Voice of America
Major quake rocks Haiti, many nations ready with assistance -- China View
Experts warned of earthquake risk on Haiti -- CNN
Major earthquake hits Haiti -- Washington Post (Photos)
Factbox: Quake-stricken Haiti -- Reuters
at 21:09 on January 12th, 2010
Haitian presidential palace leveled after quake: report
Washington (AFP) Jan 12, 2010 - Haiti's presidential palace and numerous other government buildings in the country's capital Port-au-Prince collapsed Tuesday after a massive 7.0 earthquake, Haitian television streaming online reported Tuesday. Communications to the island, the most impoverished in the western hemisphere, were cut in the wake of the massive earthquake, which produced several aftershocks and prompted a tsuna ... more
at 07:43 on January 13th, 2010
Quake-Stunned Haitians Pile Bodies By fallen Homes -- Yahoo News/AP
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Haitians piled bodies along the devastated streets of their capital Wednesday after the strongest earthquake hit the poor Caribbean nation in more than 200 years crushed thousands of structures, from schools and shacks to the National Palace and the U.N. peacekeeping headquarters. Untold numbers were still trapped.
The devastation was so complete that it seemed likely the death toll from Tuesday afternoon's magnitude-7.0 quake would run into the thousands. France's foreign minister said the head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission was apparently among the dead.
Read more ....
at 07:44 on January 13th, 2010
More News On The Disaster In Haiti
Haiti earthquake: News updates -- CNN News Updates
Red Cross: 3M likely affected by quake -- CNN
Thousands feared dead in devastating Haiti quake -- Yahoo News/AFP
Thousands feared dead as major quake strikes Haiti -- Yahoo News/Reuters
News roundup: Quake devastates Hati; bodies piled along streets -- USA Today
Thousands Feared Dead, Missing After Haitian Earthquake -- Voice of America
Haiti earthquake: devastation emerges -- BBC
Big Haiti quake topples buildings, casualties seen -- Reuters
Hundreds feared dead in Haiti earthquake -- Sydney Morning Herald
From Haiti: Heart-Breaking Photos -- NPR
In pictures: Haitian earthquake -- BBC
France fears everyone inside U.N. HQ in Haiti dead -- Reuters
Haiti earthquake: UN staff killed as rescue effort continues -- The Telegraph
UN Haiti peacekeeper chief believed dead in quake -- National Post
U.N. Peacekeepers Suffer Casualties in Haiti -- Wall Street Journal
Haiti earthquake: With aid groups already there, relief efforts ramp up quickly -- Christian Science Monitor
International aid efforts for Haiti under way -- BBC
Haiti relief push: U.S. sending search/rescue, disaster teams -- Politico
After Massive Quake, Military Stands By to Aid Haiti -- The Danger Room
Haiti Quake: How You Can Help -- CBS News
How You Can Help the Earthquake Victims -- ABC News
at 15:56 on January 13th, 2010
Connect with missing people in Haiti who have no email or phone: HelloFromHaiti.com
at 16:00 on January 13th, 2010
How is Haiti the 2nd "poorest" nation in the America's? The US currently has a $13,000,000,000,000 TRILLION dollar debt. How is Haiti the poorest again?
at 11:20 on January 14th, 2010
No offense, but it is what it is. If a man owes $13,000,000,000,000 in debt does that make him poor? No, that tells me that he is a smooth or smart manipulator. How is that different from the U.S.? Whether he is able to pay back the debt or not it still does not mean he's poor. In addition, he must have the means or asset to be trusted with that amount of money which Haiti does not have.
at 19:02 on January 13th, 2010
Im look for my brother he is an American living in haiti with his haitian wife and 2 young kids. He is white american and has brownish, blond hair around 5'8 and 185 pound and blue eyes. Last known address is RUE CLERUEAUX4 Apt 3 Kevien Gunter 48yr (American)-Jason 3yr (Haitian)-Travis 1yr (Haitian)-Suzzette (Haitian) Please help us find our Family. We would appericate any info. MY prayer to everyone in haiti and people going threw the same. gunter@hgcre.com tropwater@aol.com
at 11:24 on January 15th, 2010
Maybe Obama can afford to divert a billion or two to these poor people instead of shovelling it to those pigsy banks.
at 05:00 on January 16th, 2010
Sometimes to receive your dotoral degree you should get thesis example related to this post and thesis writing.
at 14:06 on January 16th, 2010
Thank you for the information!!.. we are trying to give it to all the people around the world.. (Fernanda Ranero, Guatemala)
at 06:00 on January 18th, 2010
I would like to know why the US have been hogging the only runway , stopping the rest of the world sending in help , and have not been able to even take off. plus aid is still not getting thro to these poor people. They seem to think the rest of the world doesn't care.Is this some sort of Glory thing the US does , We have to be seen as in Control ..Im irate at this ..
at 09:28 on January 18th, 2010
We are the organizations with IFCO/Haiti Relief -Please join our response to the recent earthquake in Haiti. Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees, Lakou New York, and MUDHA (Movement of Dominican Haitian Women) are organizing an immediate delivery of first aid relief. MUDHA is traveling to the Dominican/Haitian border, looking at how to reach affected areas.To make a financial contribution to our efforts, please send a tax-deductible donation to:HAITI RELIEF AGENT133 stetson island.New York. or email:(c.b.n.lsl@live.com)for more information.www.cnbc.com/id/34920122We have already begun the process of providing medical supplies and monetary donations to provide relief to the devastated nation. Traditionally one of the first doctor's offices in Palm Beach County to respond to such threats as this past year's H1N1 flu pandemic, MD Now is now accepting the donation of supplies from staff, patients and peers in the medical community for transport to people of Haiti. Donations of medications and medical supplies including antibiotics, medications, pain relievers (motrin, advil, aleve, etc) anesthetics, children medicines, pedialyte, IV Bags, needles and syringes, bandages, gauze, ace wraps, casting and orthopedic supplies, suture sets, peroxide, antiseptics, sanitizers and basic first aid supplies for the Haitian people are being accepted immediately at any one of the six MD Now Urgent Care locations. Supplies are currently being delivered via donated private airplanes to several clinics sponsored by Project Medishare for Haiti and they are currently leaving Ft. Lauderdale airport daily and being brought directly to these clinics and a field hospital.Send us a mail now and we give you the account information needed.Dr Pascal Medin