On 12 January 2010 , Haiti experienced a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that caused heavy damage and casualties in Jacmel . The first temblor rocked the city at 4:40 pm , but the later temblor at 5:37 pm stopped the cathedral 's clock . A Jacmel radio station estimated that at least 5000 were dead from the quake itself , although mayor Zennie Edwin later reported that the figure was closer to 300 – 500 deaths and 4,000 injured . About 70 per cent of the homes were damaged , with most of the heavier damage being in the poorer neighbourhoods . The town hall was so severely damaged that it had to be demolished . A small tsunami hit Jacmel Bay , with the ocean receding , leaving fish high and dry on the seabed , and rushing back in , four times
a magnitude 7.0 earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
Jacmel