Haiti: Storms and torrential rains forecast through May 5 /update 1

Event

Haitian authorities have urged the population to exercise caution due to the risk of flooding, mudslides, and landslides as torrential rains and storms are forecast to continue at least through the evening of Friday, May 5. According to weather forecasts, rainfall and storms are expected in the departments of Grand'Anse, Nippes, Nord, and Ouest, including the capital Port-au-Prince in the coming hours. Limited rainfall and strong waves are forecast on the coasts of the Nord and Sud departments.

Context

Between April 23 and May 2, at least ten people were reported dead amid severe rainfall and flooding across Haiti. According to a recent report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Haiti, severe rainfall over the past ten days caused mudslides, landslides, and flooding in the Sud, Sud-Est, Grand'Anse, and Nippes departments, destroying 15 houses and damaging 10,000 others. The beleaguered Sud department is the most affected region with 80 percent of the spring harvest reportedly wiped out. An estimated 350,000 people have been affected.

The streets of Port-au-Prince and the Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) were partially flooded on Tuesday, May 2, causing transportation disruptions (road closures, hazardous conditions, etc.).

Haiti's rainy seasons generally last from April to June and from August to October, while the hurricane season lasts from June to November. Flooding and landslides are common during these periods, especially when much of Haiti's waterbed is saturated from recent rainfall (as it currently is).

Be aware that the risk of contracting water- and mosquito-borne diseases - including malaria, chikungunya, dengue fever, and the Zika virus - tends to rise after periods of heavy rains.

Advice

Individuals present in affected regions are advised to keep abreast of the situation, to avoid areas directly hit by flooding, and to adhere to any orders issued by the local authorities. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs disposed of.