2023 Haiti floods
Satellite imagery of the storm system responsible for the floods on 3 June
CauseHeavy rains
Meteorological history
Duration2–3 June 2023
Flood
Overall effects
Fatalities51
Injuries140
Missing18
Areas affectedOuest, Nippes, Sud-Est, Nord-Ouest, and Centre departments, Haiti
Houses destroyed≥160

On 2–3 June 2023, heavy rains caused destructive flooding across Haiti. Western areas of the country were particularly hard-hit. At least 51 people were killed, 140 were injured, and 11 were reported missing as of 6 June.

Background

From late May to early June 2023, periods of heavy rain impacted Haiti, leaving soils saturated and unable to absorb much additional rain. On 2–3 June, a stationary area of low pressure produced heavy rain and thunderstorms across the country.[1][2] Rains subsided the following day as the storm system waned. With the aforementioned soils saturated, widespread flooding and landslides ensued.[1][3]

Impact and aftermath

Rivers overflowed their banks, inundating many communities.[4] Landslides were also reported.[3] Five of Haiti's ten departments were affected: Ouest, Nippes, Sud-Est, Nord-Ouest , and Centre.[4] Damage was particularly severe around the capital city of Port-au-Prince.[5] As of 6 June, 51 people were confirmed dead, 140 were injured, and 18 remained missing.[6][7] One person drowned and 14 others were rescued when their boat capsized off the coast of Côte-de-Fer.[8] Crops were severely affected in central regions of the country.[9] Three rivers burst their banks around Jérémie, leaving the city partially isolated.[10] A bridge recently constructed in the city following a catastrophic earthquake in 2021 was partially destroyed.[8] A total of 37,375 people were affected, 13,390 of whom were displaced. At least 13,591 homes were flooded and 820 were destroyed. Five health centers were also affected[7]

Prime Minister Ariel Henry requested international aid following the disaster.[5] The World Food Programme began mobilizing resources and personnel on 5 June, with rations and dry food for 15,000 planned for distribution.[4] The Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Emergencies and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs worked in tandem for relief efforts. Relief missions costing US$720 million already in place from the 2021 earthquake were only 20 percent funded at the time of the floods.[1] Recurrent gang violence hampered relief efforts. Léogâne Mayor Ernson Henry described residents as "desperate...[after losing] everything".[10]

Two earthquakes followed the floods: a Mw4.1 on 4 June and a Mw 4.9 on 6 June.[11][12] The latter of these occurred near Jérémie, further complicating relief efforts.[10] Four people were killed and 36 others were injured.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Haiti: Severe Climatic Events – Flash Update # 1 (5 June 2023) (PDF) (Report). UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023 – via ReliefWeb.
  2. ↑ Perez, Kate (6 June 2023). "Haiti hit by 4.9 magnitude earthquake as nation reels from floods that killed 42". USA Today. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  3. 1 2 "15 dead, 8 missing after heavy rains unleash floods in Haiti". Associated Press. 4 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 "Death toll reaches 42 as Haiti inundated by deadly floods". Al Jazeera. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Death toll rises to 42 as Haiti struggles to recover from floods". The Independent. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  6. 1 2 Sanon, Evens; Coto, Dánica (6 June 2023). "4.9 magnitude quake strikes southern Haiti; 4 dead, dozens injured". ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  7. 1 2 Flooding/Earthquake - Haiti Situation Report 1 - Date 06/06/2023 (PDF) (Report). Pan American Health Organization. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023 – via ReliefWeb.
  8. 1 2 Charles, Jacqueline (3 June 2023). "Haiti gets battered by damaging floods as Caribbean prepares for hurricane season". The Miami Herald. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  9. ↑ Jiménez, Jesus (5 June 2023). "At Least 42 Are Dead and Thousands Are Displaced After Flooding in Haiti". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 "Haiti: Deadly earthquake kills three after floods". BBC News. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "M 4.1 – Haiti region". United States Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program. 4 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  12. ↑ "M 4.9 – 9 km NE of Les Abricots, Haiti". United States Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program. 4 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
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