Port-de-Paix battling severe flooding as mudslides; 13 deaths, 15 injuries confirmed, thousands displaced

PORT-DE-PAIX, Haiti — Weeks of torrential rain in Haiti’s Northwest department culminated in severe flooding in the capital city of Port-de-Paix on the evening of Dec. 22. Despite residents’ pleas for preventative action, the flooding has resulted in significant loss of life and property damage.

After more than six weeks of relentless rain, the city of Port-de-Paix was completely submerged. Landslides triggered by the torrential downpours caused multiple deaths and injuries, as well as widespread damage to homes.

A preliminary report from Frantz Monfort Ifrène, the North-West Departmental Director of Civil Protection (DDPP-NO), stated the severe weather had resulted in:

• 13 deaths, including three on Rue Trois Grâce, three on Ruelle Moïse and one in Morne Bethel.

• 15 seriously injured.
• 100 houses destroyed.
• 500 houses severely damaged.
• 11,000 houses flooded in the city center and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd sections of Port-de-Paix, including homes, schools, warehouses, and government and private offices.
• Approximately 20 vehicles swept away.

The report confirmed that the deaths were caused by the landslides.

The North-West Directorate of Civil Protection has begun relief efforts to aid the thousands of victims. 

“We made visits to the city center of Port-de-Paix, to the 1st section, Baudin, and to the 2nd communal section, Aubert,” the DDPP-NO specified. “The departmental directorate of the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communication (MTPTC) is starting clearing actions in the city center of Port-de-Paix to evacuate water on public roads, deploying teams of volunteer rescuers and coordinating clearing operations in severely affected areas.”

Port-de-Paix mayor calls for vigilance amid criticism

Faced with the severe flooding, the mayor of Port-de-Paix urged residents to remain vigilant. “We call for maximum vigilance, particularly in vulnerable areas, such as basins, ravines and neighborhoods close to rivers,” the mayor said in a press release.

Despite acknowledging the emergency, town officials have faced criticism for not taking preventative measures. Residents have long called for improved drainage and watershed management, but these requests have largely gone unheeded. Now, amid the crisis, the municipality is appealing for citizen cooperation.

“The Town Hall is actively working with the relevant institutions to assess the damage, clear blocked roads and provide assistance to the affected areas,” the Communication Office of the Port-de-Paix Town Hall said in a statement. “We ask for everyone’s cooperation to maintain order and protect our fellow citizens. We remain mobilized to ensure your safety and manage this difficult situation. Together, we will overcome these challenges.”

“The authorities are there simply to assess the damage,” said Duken Philistin, a young resident of Trois Grâce street. “They never made any decision to make forecasts or identify areas where residents should build. We are victims of the state’s carelessness. They must make every effort to help us now. They should clear the streets and public market spaces so that our activities can resume.”

Residents blame negligence for flood damage, cite lack of infrastructure investment

Port-de-Paix residents have sharply criticized state authorities, accusing them of negligence and a failure to address long-standing infrastructure problems.

Mrs. Joanel Frankel, a local resident and business owner, said she warned the North-West Departmental Director of the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications (MTPTC) about the potential for the Port-de-Paix River, known as rivyè pòtpè in Creole, to overflow due to a lack of maintenance. She said the director dismissed her concerns. Her bar and restaurant subsequently suffered extensive damage in the flooding, with losses she described as “invaluable.”

“More than a month ago, I went to the departmental management of the MTPTC to alert Director Angelot Oracius Joseph on the degradation of the Port-de-Paix River, which is located a few meters from my business,” Frankel said. “He never intervened to facilitate the cleaning, and unfortunately, because of his negligence, I lost my bar and restaurant. The water took away several generators. I’m not able to assess the cost of this damage because I lost everything. Other residents on Christophe Street suffered a similar fate.”

Many residents in areas affected by landslides remain in their damaged homes, uncertain where to seek shelter.

“The authorities are there simply to assess the damage,” said Duken Philistin, a young resident of Trois Grâce street. “They never made any decision to make forecasts or identify areas where residents should build. We are victims of the state’s carelessness. They must make every effort to help us now. They should clear the streets and public market spaces so that our activities can resume.”

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, head of the Transitional Government, acknowledged the crisis and promised rapid aid for flood victims in Cap-Haitien and Port-de-Paix.

“Following the bad weather that severely affected the North and North-West, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé is giving his full support to the victims,” a post on X, formerly Twitter, from the Prime Minister’s Office said. “A task force has been set up to provide rapid and effective assistance to disaster victims. The government remains mobilized to support families and rebuild destroyed or damaged infrastructure.”

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Port-de-Paix battling severe flooding as mudslides; 13 deaths, 15 injuries confirmed, thousands displaced was first posted on December 26, 2024 at 4:35 pm.