Haiti: Hurricane Irma to hit island September 6

Event

Hurricane Irma has strengthened into a Category 5 storm as of Tuesday, September 5, as it continues to move northeast of the Caribbean, bringing winds up to 280 km/h (up to 175 mph). Affected areas could receive up to 25 cm (10 inches) of rain, which may cause flash flooding, landslides, and dangerous surf.

On Tuesday, September 5, Haitian authorities warned that the storm could hit the island for three days, causing flooding and landslides and severe material damage to the already impoverished island. Haiti is said to be severely affected from Wednesday, through to Friday. 

As a result, transport disruptions, including flight delays and cancelations to and from Toussaint Louverture (PAP) and Cap-Haïtien (CAP) international airport and Jacmel Airport (JAK), are likely in the upcoming days.

Context

Hurricane Irma is currently making its way through the Atlantic Ocean and nearing the Caribbean, as of September 5. The storm is expected to make landfall early Wednesday, September 6, on the island of Anguilla. Hurricane warnings are currently in place for the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, Saba, St Eustatius, Sint Maarten, St Martin, St Barthélémy, British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Southern parts of Haiti are still recovering from a major hurricane that hit in October 2016. Sud, Nippes, and Grand’Anse departments suffered significant damage after Hurricane Matthew, a Category 4 hurricane, made landfall on October 4, 2016. A total of 370,000 homes were damaged or destroyed by the storm, including 285,000 in rural areas, and hundreds of people were killed. Additional flooding between April 23 and May 2, killed at least ten more people across Haiti. Significant social unrest broke out following the storm due to the insufficient government response.

The beleaguered Sud department remains the most affected region, with 80 percent of the spring harvest reportedly wiped out due to flooding and an estimated 350,000 affected. There are also significant fears of a famine in Grand’Anse department as food supplies run dangerously low. According to a recent report from the UN, an estimated 1.5 million people remain food insecure in Haiti, particularly in the northwestern and southern departments.

Advice

Individuals present in Haiti are advised to keep abreast of weather alerts, confirm travel reservations, avoid coastal and mountainous areas (risk of flooding and landslides), and adhere to all advice 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. Finally, because floodwater may also contain wastewater or chemical products, wear boots and try to avoid any contact with the water. All items having come into contact with the water should be washed and disinfected. Dispose of any food that may have come into contact with floodwater.