PRAY FOR HAITI: After California's earthquake a few days ago, another in the ring of fire was expected and it hit with a vengeance. At 5pm, Tuesday, Haiti time, it was hit by M7.0 earthquake, the epicenter at its capital of Port-au-Prince. At least 28 aftershocks averaging M5.0 since, Wed. morning still getting after shocks.

Haiti's First Lady reported, "Most of Port-au-Prince is destroyed." More than 100K are reported dead, including Roman Catholic Archbishop Minot, with 100s of 1000s more expected, thousands injured and missing. At least 3M people have been affected. Massive building collapses, including hospitals, UN, Aid centers, homes and more. One of its major prisons collapsed and prisoners escaped. Electric and water systems have collapsed as well as the landline phone systems: please do not attempt to call Haiti about loved ones visiting or living there: info below about how to check on them. Cell phones are being used to Twitter pictures and text messages to other nations. Requesting aid.

Experts had said that Haiti was at risk of such an earthquake; however, because Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, their buildings are not earthquake proof. 95% of its population is below poverty level and 54% are in abject poverty. Haiti's population is 80% black, 85% Roman Catholic, language French, with a nationwide population over 9-million.

Haiti was still trying to recover from 2 massive hurricanes and 2 tropical storms last Sept. and Oct. 2009 when this quake struck. US aid is already on the way: Coast Guard ships en route, UN immediately releasing $10M in aid funds, US aid organizations either gearing up to fly in with staff and aid supplies or have flown out this morning. Most US airlines have cancelled all flights to Haiti, with exception of aid crews.

If you have family and/or friends in Haiti and need to know about their safety, the following data will help:

1. State Department of Operations 1-888-407-4747, keep calling until you get through, may have info on US citizens in Haiti

2. To get information and how to help, go to CNN.com/Impact

3. MySpace and FaceBook have set up a Haiti page for people to post pictures of loved ones in Haiti and to request information as to their well-being.