The floods that struck the Northwest Department between April 11 and 13, 2026, were particularly devastating for the municipalities of Port-de-Paix, Saint-Louis du Nord, and Anse-à-Foleur. Torrential rains caused flash floods in several rivers, including the Rivière des Trois Rivières, plunging these areas into a critical emergency situation. This situation threatens to worsen if the rainfall continues. The Civil Protection Directorate is maintaining a high level of vigilance because the ground is saturated, increasing the risk of landslides and further flash floods.

Human Toll :

According to a preliminary report from the Departmental Directorate of Civil Protection, 12 people died in landslides or were swept away by floodwaters in the 1st, 3rd, and 4th rural sections of Saint-Louis du Nord. In addition to the loss of life, several serious injuries have been reported...

Several people are missing, including fishermen and residents of riverside areas in Anse-à-Foleur.

More than 2,500 families are directly affected. Many residents have had to abandon their homes and take refuge with relatives or in temporary shelters.

Local authorities have appealed to the central government: food rations, drinking water, hygiene kits, and sanitation equipment are essential to prevent a health crisis.

Material and Infrastructure Damage :

Approximately 1,200 homes have been flooded. In Port-de-Paix, several homes in low-lying neighborhoods (such as La Saline and Haut-Gallois) have suffered major structural damage.

The road connecting Port-de-Paix to Saint-Louis du Nord has become impassable in places due to landslides. Several bridges and culverts were weakened by the force of the water. The Ti Rivyè bridge was completely destroyed.

Schools and health centers in the three communes were flooded with mud, making them inaccessible and jeopardizing basic services.

Agricultural Sector :

The fertile plains surrounding Anse-à-Foleur and Saint-Louis du Nord were submerged. Banana, corn, and bean crops are almost entirely lost for this season.

Hundreds of livestock (cattle, goats, pigs) were swept away by the floods, representing a catastrophic financial loss for small farmers.

Many irrigation canals were clogged with sediment and debris, which will slow the resumption of agricultural activities once the waters recede.

Note : The Directorate of Civil Protection (DPC) and local organizations continue to assess needs, but access to remote areas of Anse-à-Foleur remains difficult due to soil saturation and debris on rural roads.

SL/ HaitiLibre