Heavy rains trigger flooding, landslides, reports of missing people in Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Heavy rains over the weekend caused flooding and landslides in several of Haiti’s 10 departments, damaging homes, sweeping away livestock and prompting reports of missing people.

Early Monday, Haiti’s Hydrometeorological Unit (UHM), in coordination with the Civil Protection General Directorate (DGPC), placed five departments—Grand’Anse, South, Nippes, Southeast, and West—under an orange alert for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, while issuing a yellow alert for Artibonite and Northwest departments. Authorities lifted these alerts Tuesday around noon, according to the latest national weather bulletin.

The bulletin said the severe weather was associated with a surface trough extending south from the Bahamas toward the northwestern Caribbean, combined with a humid and unstable air mass over the Greater Antilles.

The DGPC reported that the weather system’s initial impacts were observed on Oct. 22, with further effects expected through Tuesday morning, particularly in the South and Grand’Anse departments.

Officials had not released a comprehensive assessment of property damage or confirmed the overall number of deaths or missing people as of Tuesday.

Images circulating on social media showed rivers, including the Ravine du Sud near les Cayes, overflowing and flooding nearby homes and neighborhoods over the weekend. In the 12th communal section of Petit-Goâve, about 40 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, a landslide destroyed several homes on Monday. In Chantal, further south, residents lost homes and livestock.

In Anse-à-Galet, on Gonâve Island, local media reported Tuesday that Rosenette Exilien, a vendor at a local market, went missing in floodwaters. In Grand’Anse, Christine Monquelie, the department’s Civil Protection director, reported that several fishermen were missing in the Lasereng communal section of Abricots.

Still, the reports of missing people had not been accompanied by a comprehensive official toll.

Maritime authorities warn against going to sea as more rain is expected

In a statement issued Oct. 26, Haiti’s Maritime and Navigation Service (SEMANAH) warned sailors, fishermen and boat owners against going to sea while conditions remained dangerous.

“Any boat already in port must remain there in a safe place; those already at sea must urgently seek shelter at the nearest safe harbor,” SEMANAH said. The agency also urged crews to protect passengers, remain vigilant and follow official instructions.

On Tuesday, humid, unstable air contributed to mostly cloudy skies over the West Department, including Port-au-Prince, according to the weather bulletin.

Civil Protection warned that heavy thunderstorms were expected across the Grand South and West departments during the day. Conditions were expected to improve gradually overnight, although rainfall could spread to the Artibonite, Centre and Northwest departments by late afternoon and evening.

Haiti’s hydrometeorological authorities forecast rainfall totals of 100 to 150 millimeters, potentially reaching 200 millimeters or more in mountainous areas. Wind gusts accompanying showers could reach 40 to 60 kilometers per hour.

Authorities urged residents to exercise extreme caution and follow safety instructions, warning that additional rainfall could worsen flooding and landslide risks.