Chicagoans Anxious To Reconnect With Family In Nepal

(CBS) -- The struggle continues here for those with family in the region.

Powerful aftershocks continue to shake Kathmandu, Nepal one day after the worst earthquake to hit the area in 80 years.

The latest tremor measured at a 6.7 magnitude. The death toll now stands at over 2,500 people. The United States is now sending a disaster response team and has pledged to send in humanitarian aid.

Meanwhile, the struggle continues here for those with family in the region.

CBS 2's Jeremy Ross reports on the Chicago connections to the devastated area.

Most people there have never seen a quake like this, with the initial earthquake measuring a 7.9 magnitude. It levelled buildings and flattened the capital city of Katmandu's historic center.

About a 30 minute flight away is the area surrounding Mount Everest, which is normally a dream destination for extremely experienced mountain climbers. Loretta Land's son Andy, from Fond du Lac Wisconsin, was climbing there at the time.

CNN reports at least 17 have died in resulting avalanches.

Land says her son's mountain guide posted online that everyone on their team is okay, but she's still hoping to hear that directly from her son.

"The problem is going to be now how do they get down... because they're having the avalanches below them and above them, and how are they going to get down?" Land said.

Getting through to other loved ones is proving troubling to others here in Chicago.

There are an estimated 800 families from Nepal living here. The quake has taken out phone lines, so hearing any news, especially good news, is proving difficult.

"They are safe now," Said Netra Rai. "Most of the buildings and the statues, temples have collapsed badly."

"I started calling cell phones and some of the cell phones were not working, the providers I think some of the towers were not working or something was not working properly, but eventually I started getting hold of some of the relatives," said Bishnu Phuyal, president Nepali American Center.

Several local groups with ties to Nepal are beginning fundraising efforts here to help with the recovery there. The Nepali American Center has set up an earthquake relief fund and is accepting donations on its website.