Heavy rains trigger flooding and landslides across Haiti, leaving people missing
Five departments were placed under an orange alert as floodwaters damaged homes and swept away livestock, according to the Haitian Times.
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, the Haitian Times reported.
Early Monday, Haiti's Hydrometeorological Unit (UHM), in coordination with the Civil Protection General Directorate (DGPC), placed 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. Authorities lifted the alerts around noon Tuesday, according to the national weather bulletin. The DGPC said the system's initial impacts were observed Oct. 22.
Images on social media showed the Ravine du Sud near Les Cayes overflowing. In the 12th communal section of Petit-Goâve, about 40 miles southwest of the capital, a landslide destroyed several homes Monday. In Chantal, residents lost homes and livestock. In Anse-à-Galet on Gonâve Island, market vendor Rosenette Exilien reportedly went missing in floodwaters, while Grand'Anse Civil Protection director Christine Monquelie said several fishermen were missing in Abricots.
Officials had not released a comprehensive assessment of damage, deaths or missing people as of Tuesday. SEMANAH warned sailors and fishermen to remain in port. Authorities forecast rainfall of 100 to 150 millimeters, potentially exceeding 200 in mountainous areas, and urged extreme caution.