Overview:
Hurricane Melissa has strengthened to Category 5, prompting red and orange alerts in Haiti. With three dead, infrastructure damage mounting, and 16 inches of rain expected, authorities urge residents to shelter and prepare for worsening conditions.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — Haitian officials have placed the South and Grand’Anse departments under red alert, while the South-East, Nippes and West remain under orange alert as Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a dangerous Category 5 storm over the weekend. At least three people have died in Haiti — two in a landslide and one from a fallen tree — as Melissa intensifies.
Forecasters say parts of western Haiti could see up to 16 inches of rain, heightening the risk of disaster in already waterlogged areas with torrential rains, deadly flash floods and widespread landslides. They also warn that parts of the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, could face similar threats as the storm moves west.
The Hydrometeorological Unit of Haiti (UHM) reports that the risk of flash flooding, landslides, and building collapses is extremely high, particularly in areas already hit by heavy rain this weekend. Civil Protection officials say emergency teams have been deployed and shelters are being prepared in the most exposed communities as the storm moves northwest. Heavy rains are expected to continue in Haiti’s southern and southwestern regions, where the risk of flooding and landslides remains high.
Five departments remain under orange alert as Haiti faces heavy rains, flooding and landslide risks from Tropical Storm Melissa, which could strengthen into a hurricane
Authorities advise residents in at-risk areas to stay home if their dwelling is safe and located outside danger zones, avoid crossing rivers, keep children from sleeping directly on the floor, suspend all maritime activities and return to land without delay. They also call for solidarity with vulnerable groups, the safeguarding of important documents and essential belongings, and strict adherence to official information.
The Directorate of Civil Protection reports that emergency services are already mobilized in affected areas and that temporary shelters are being set up to accommodate families living in the most exposed communities.
Local authorities are encouraged to activate their contingency plans and maintain constant communication with national institutions. As Hurricane Melissa approaches, officials remind the public that everyone’s safety depends on collective discipline and that any negligence could worsen the impact of this weather system.
“Significant infrastructure damage, prolonged power and communication outages, and potentially extended isolation of communities are likely in Jamaica and Haiti,” says the National Hurricane Center.
The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (UNCERF) announced Thursday it is releasing $4 million to assist more than 100,000 Haitians at risk from Melissa. The funding will be managed by the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
“These funds are part of anticipatory action efforts that allow the humanitarian community in Haiti to prepare for the direct impacts of storms and hurricanes,” said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General.
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