Overview:
Haiti has raised its alert level to orange as Tropical Storm Melissa approaches, prompting Civil Protection authorities to warn residents—especially in flood-prone areas—to seek shelter, avoid waterways and stock essentials. The storm threatens to worsen Haiti’s humanitarian crisis.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — Haiti’s hydrometeorological agency has raised the national alert level to orange as Tropical Storm Melissa moves toward the country, threatening to bring heavy rainfall, flash flooding and landslides to vulnerable regions already struggling with insecurity, displacement and poor infrastructure.
As Tropical Storm Melissa barrels toward Haiti’s southern peninsula, civil protection officials are sounding the alarm, including the General Directorate of Civil Protection (DGPC), the Hydrometeorological Unit (UHM) and the Risk and Disaster Management System, warning that even moderate rainfall could trigger devastating floods, landslides, and disease outbreaks. With five departments under orange alert and millions already displaced by violence or living without basic sanitation, the approaching storm is expected to worsen the country’s humanitarian crisis. Although meteorologists say Melissa is still loosely organized and lacks a strong core, its slow pace and widespread rains could still cause major damage. Authorities urge residents in flood-prone areas to seek shelter, stock essentials, and help vulnerable neighbors as emergency teams prepare for impact.
“Do not cross water flowing on the ground, on bridges, on animals, in vehicles, or on motorcycles,” the Civil Protection agency warned in a public advisory posted on X.
“Show solidarity with the most vulnerable—the elderly, people with physical disabilities, and children—and keep your belongings and important documents safe.”
Authorities also urged residents in the areas most at risk of flooding, landslides and soil erosion to seek shelter with their families and avoid standing near rivers or on bridges to watch the flowing water. They are advised to keep following weather updates and follow the authorities’ instructions, ignoring any rumors.
Departments on orange alert
Five departments — West, Grand’Anse, South, Southeast and Nippes — are under orange alert as Tropical Storm Melissa moves slowly toward Haiti’s southern peninsula. Forecasts from Wednesday morning, Oct. 22, placed the storm about 303 miles south-southwest of Port-au-Prince, with potential to strengthen into a hurricane in the coming days.
Meteorologists expect rain to intensify across the country by Thursday and Friday, especially in the Great South and West regions, where flash floods and landslides are most likely.
“Thursday and Friday, the gradual approach of Tropical Storm Melissa toward Haiti’s southern peninsula could lead to increased humidity across the country,” said the UHM officials. “A moderate risk of flash floods and landslides is also expected in the Great South and West regions during this period.”
“Do not cross water flowing on the ground, on bridges, on animals, in vehicles, or on motorcycles. Show solidarity with the most vulnerable—the elderly, people with disabilities, and children.”
Directorate of Civil Protection
The Maritime and Navigation Service of Haiti (SEMANAH) has banned all coastal navigation and fishing activities along the southern and western coasts until further notice.
Millions of people are living without sanitation or clean water—the storm only makes a bad situation worse for Haitians. Even light flooding in camps could spread disease quickly across the country. Public health officials also warn that flooding could worsen cholera outbreaks, with suspected cases already reported in the West Department.
“If it weren’t for the vigilance of the farmers who quickly evacuated the area, there would have been a significant loss of life over the past weekend, as there were numerous attacks by armed bandits,” said Bertide Horace, spokesperson for the Dialogue and Awareness Commission on Radio Magik 9.
Recurring disaster risk in a fragile nation, government response and public concern
Haiti’s mountainous terrain, deforestation, and poor drainage make it highly prone to flooding. With nearly 98% of forests lost, the soil’s ability to absorb rainwater has been severely reduced, magnifying the impact of storms.
Over the past two decades, Haiti has suffered repeated climate disasters—from Hurricane Jeanne in 2004, which killed more than 3,000 people in Gonaïves, to Hurricane Matthew in 2016, which devastated the southern peninsula and displaced over 175,000 residents.
Despite these tragedies, disaster preparedness remains limited.
“Melissa is another reminder of Haiti’s extreme vulnerability,” said Jean-Marie Denis, an environmental risk management expert in Port-au-Prince. “Every storm exposes how unprepared we remain—from early warning systems to emergency shelters.”
As of Thursday morning, the Presidential Transition Council and Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé’s government had yet to announce any emergency assistance measures.
Community leaders and civil protection volunteers across the southern regions say they are preparing independently to assist residents in case of flooding as more than 1.4 million people remain internally displaced, many living in makeshift shelters vulnerable to flooding and wind damage.
Haiti’s disaster management system, originally built with international support after the 2010 earthquake, has faced funding shortages and coordination problems in recent years. Yet, local groups and community radio networks continue to play a vital role in alerting people and sharing evacuation information.
These networks continue broadcasting the message from Civil Protection officials urging residents to stay alert, avoid rivers and mountainsides—and follow official weather updates rather than rumors spreading on social media.
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