Hurricane Melissa Impacts Haiti

• Above-average rainfall was reported in Haiti, before the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
• Forecasts for the next seven days suggest average to below-average rainfall.

Melissa unleashed catastrophic flooding in Haiti, according to Haiti's Civil Protection Agency. Hurricane Melissa killed at least 20 people in Petit-Goâve, including 10 children, and damaged more than 160 homes, while 80 others were completely destroyed. 

Figure 1 shows above-average rainfall reported prior to the impact of Hurricane Melissa across the country. These wet conditions combined with the additional rainfall during the Hurricane resulted in flooding that has affected several municipalities, including Corail (whose city center was submerged) and Anse-d’Hainault and the Cayemites Islands (affected by coastal flooding). Dozens of makeshift dwellings in Beaumont and Pestel were damaged. Ten of eleven municipalities in Nippes experienced flooding and material damage. 

Officials reported that 152 persons with disabilities in Haiti's southern region required emergency food assistance. More than 11,600 people remained sheltered in Haiti because of the storm. There are currently 121 active shelters. More than 13,900 people have taken refuge in shelters, according to the National Emergency Operations Center (COUN).

Grand'Anse: 7,184 people are in open shelters, excluding those in Dame-Marie, where two shelters are operational. Nippes: 283 people are in open shelters, primarily evacuated due to flood and landslide risks. South: 1,813 families (6,419 people) are in 56 shelters across 15 communes.

Agricultural Sector (Provisional): Banana plantations were destroyed, while pigeon pea, yam crops, and fruit trees were severely damaged. In the South, banana plantations, fruit trees, and other crops suffered considerable damage. Livestock was swept away.

Figure 2 indicates that average rainfall is forecast over the next seven days across central to northern parts of the country. However, given recent extreme rainfall amounts, any additional rainfall could increase the risk of floods, landslides, and additional damage for crop production areas. Below-average rainfall is forecast over the southern part of the country which may help alleviate flooding and enable recovery activities.