On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, from the early hours of the morning, Cap-Haitien experienced torrential rains due to the passage of a cold front to the southwest and northwest of the country. Within hours, some streets had become raging rivers of muddy water. Traffic was paralyzed on National Highways #1 and #6; schools and businesses were closed; and drainage canals were clogged with debris and sediment from the hills.

Most Affected Areas :

- Downtown and surrounding areas : Rue de la Lettre A, Lafossette, Carrefour Samarie, and Cité Lesko (roads submerged), Abraham Alley, as well as areas of Petite-Anse and Fort Saint-Michel, were also flooded. The neighborhoods of Sainte-Philomène, Champin, and Cité du Peuple were among the hardest hit. - East and North: Zétrier Canal (overflowing), Abraham Alley, Petite-Anse, and Fort Saint-Michel.

Firefighters, rescuers, and firefighters have been deployed to respond to any emergencies. If the rains continue, authorities are considering opening temporary shelters.

Jean Henry Petit, the North Departmental Technical Coordinator for Civil Protection, emphasizes that while material damage is visible in Cap-Haïtien, the other municipalities in the North Department are currently less affected. The focus is on the urgent need to dredge the canals.

No loss of life has been reported so far.

Recommendations :

- Avoid crossing flooded areas on foot or by vehicle (the current can be deceptive).

- Secure important documents, preferably in elevated locations and in waterproof bags.

Stay tuned to local weather reports, as the cold front may maintain instability for the next 24 hours.

SL/ TB/ HaitiLibre