Attachments
Glide Number: FL-2023-000085-HTI
Description of the Event
What happened, where and when?
Floods:
On 3 June, Haiti was struck by an exceptionally heavy rainstorm that swept across the entire country. The downpour, accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms, was caused by a stationary meteorological low-pressure system that formed over Haiti and persisted throughout the day. Although the event was not classified as a cyclone, storm, or tropical downpour, the prolonged and intense rainfall resulted in severe consequences for the nation.
The excessive precipitation caused numerous rivers to overflow, leading to flash floods, widespread flooding, and landslides. The situation was exacerbated by previous heavy rainfall and flooding in areas that had experienced severe weather conditions in the preceding week. With the ground already saturated, it was unable to absorb the additional rainfall. Consequently, this situation affected a large number of people who were already in a situation of chronic vulnerability. Grand'Anse, Sud'Est, Nippes, Nord'Ouest, Centre, and Ouest were among the most affected departments.
In the department of Grand'Anse, municipalities like Pestel, Beaumont, and Les Irois suffered from extensive flooding, resulting in submerged houses and the evacuation of families due to the strong winds and rain. Agricultural and livestock losses were also reported in Pestel due to the overflowing La Hatte River. Roads were cut off in several areas, impeding access and relief efforts. The flooding extended to other regions, including Léogâne, Petit Goave, and parts of Port-au-Prince.
While the current conditions have become less turbulent, there is the possibility of additional low-pressure systems approaching, persisting until the official end of the hurricane season, projected for 30 November. In the event of substantial rainfall, the already saturated soil may prove inadequate in preventing additional floods and landslides, potentially resulting in more significant impact. To address this concern, the UMH and the General Directorate of Civil Protection (abbreviated as DGPC in French) have been conducting awareness campaigns, encouraging residents in flood-prone regions to stay vigilant and adopt essential safety measures when heavy rains are expected.
Earthquake:
On 6 June at 5:11 a.m., the inhabitants of Jérémie, the capital of the Grand'Anse department, were awakened by an earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale. The epicenter was located 4 km northwest of Abricot (Grand'Anse Dept.), 23 km northwest of Jérémie (Grand'Anse Dept.), 180 km northwest of Léogâne (West Dept.), and 210 km west of Port-au-Prince (West Dept.), at a depth of 10 km. This is the second time that this area has experienced an earthquake in a matter of days (there was a 4.1 earthquake on 4 June). Furthermore, the Grand’Anse department was one of the most affected during the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that affected more than 800,000 people in August 2021.
Scope and Scale
Haiti stands out globally as one of the countries most susceptible to various natural hazards, including hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. The situation is expected to worsen as the climate crisis intensifies, resulting in more frequent, intense, and devastating extreme weather events. Ranked as the most vulnerable nation in the Caribbean region and 14th worldwide according to the Risk Management Index, Haiti is undeniably a land at high risk, with a significant likelihood of encountering natural disasters.
The extent of the negative impacts generated by the recent flood and earthquake emergency is further described below:
Floods:
According to the General Directorate of Civil Protection (DGPC, by its acronym in French), as of 6 June, initial assessments revealed a significant impact on the country. The latest figures indicate that 39,458 households were affected, with 13,400 individuals displaced in Ouest, Sud-Est, Nord-Ouest, Plateau Central, and Nippes. Additionally, 3,586 people were evacuated or provided shelter, and the reported casualties include 51 deaths, 140 injuries, and 18 individuals missing.
In terms of infrastructure, the devastation caused by the floods resulted in 31,591 homes being flooded, with 2,445 structures either destroyed or damaged. Significant damage was observed in various infrastructures, schools, and healthcare facilities across the departments of Ouest, Nippes, Sud-Est, Nord-Ouest, Centre, and Sud. The department of Ouest, particularly the communes of Léogâne (reporting 24 deaths), Gressier, Cité Soleil, and Tabarre, experienced the most severe impact, with the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area (ZMPAP) being the hardest hit.
Several thousand families were affected in Léogane, a municipality located 33 kilometers south of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The Interim Executive Council of Léogane appealed for assistance to aid the thousands of victims. Only in this municipality, a dozen schools, three hospitals, and three health centers were flooded, while landslides and damage to plantations were also reported. Léogane experienced severe flooding and significant destruction of infrastructure. A large portion of the affected population lost their sources of income, including personal belongings, properties, fields, and livestock, further exacerbating their economic hardships amidst high inflation. Host families accommodating displaced individuals also faced an increased strain on their livelihoods and are likely to encounter economic difficulties. Moreover, flooded areas like Cité Soleil pose a risk of cholera spread, which resurfaced in Haiti in October 2022.
In the southeast, a boat linking Anse-à-Pitres and Marigot sank off Côte-de-Fer on the morning of 3 June. Fourteen survivors recovered. Two survivors, in serious condition, were evacuated to the department's referral hospital, where they were treated. The number of passengers aboard the boat is still unknown, and several were missing. Four bodies, including one woman, were recovered after the wreck. Teams from the Haitian Civil Protection and Red Cross, as well as Semanah, mobilized to carry out rescue operations in search of other survivors.
Earthquake:
The tremor caused panic among the population. According to an initial DGPC assessment, four people were found dead and 28 others were injured. The injured were rushed to Saint Antoine Hospital for treatment. In addition, 2 houses were destroyed in St-Helene (Morne Fort), and there was a landslide on national road #7, bringing traffic to a standstill. The DGPC mobilized teams on the ground to support the victims.
Historic information:
Haiti has experienced severe consequences due to recent floods, leading to loss of life, displacement of communities, infrastructure damage, and significant socioeconomic implications. In November 2016, Hurricane Matthew wreaked havoc, causing catastrophic flooding, infrastructure destruction, and community displacement. Additionally, in October 2019, torrential rains triggered flash floods and landslides in the Nord and Nord-Ouest departments, resulting in casualties and infrastructure damage. Notable flood events also occurred in June 2021, with heavy rainfall leading to widespread flooding and landslides in the Artibonite and West departments. These incidents underscore the susceptibility of Haiti to extreme weather events and emphasize the importance of effective disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation measures.