Initial US response to Venezuela earthquake disaster

@KiNg: thankfully so!!

Death toll at 1,400. 68,900 missing.

@KiNg: @Tamara: I am glad we could help them. I am sure the death toll will increase

Death toll climbs past 1,700. Missing at estimated 48,000.

@KiNg: sadly there is a point those missing turn to deaths. I saw some pics of the buildings. Time is not in their side

@funacct : Chances of survival diminish rapidly after 72 hours. It has been 5.5 days since the quakes struck.

ABC news reported 3 Americans dead and 12 still missing.

Death toll at 2,295. Injured: 11,200. Missing: 50,000.

Death toll is now at 3,342, ‌injured at 16,470, homeless at 17,345, missing at 50,000.Two US Navy ships have arrived at La Guaira a few days ago.www.southcom.mil/MED IA/NEWS-ARTICLES/Art icle/4532979/us-navy -ships-support-

@KiNg: wow 50k missing. So sad

@funacct :
Some are probably alive but not able to contact each other because communications are down and they are displaced. But many are probably buried in the rubble and deceased.

The airport at Caracas was damaged initially but patched up to receive flights bringing in help and supplies from all over the world.The port city La Guiara and the port itself suffered extensive damages. It is where the 2 US Navy ships USS Fort Lauderdale and USS Billings are currently assigned. The USS Fort Lauderdale is an amphibious landing ships and is docked directly at the port and it does not need any dock facilities or resources to operate. The cargo teminal at the port is out of action and cannot receive ships and cargo.The Navy brought with them marines and sailors, vehicles and helicopters for logisitics support and to provide command, communications and control to manage the disaster relief effort. The USS Fort Lauderdale has a mini hospital on board that can treat the critically wounded.BBC news has an article with maps to show the areas where the earthquakes hit and the widespread and severe damages along the 2 fault lines.www.bbc.com/news/art icles/czx5k8pxdevo