HTH -- Haiti Earthquake

November 4, 2010. Haiti braces for Tropical Storm Tomas as cholera deaths rise sharply

SOURCE: Altegrity Risk International

Haiti is preparing for the arrival of tropical storm Tomas on November 4th, with hundreds of thousands of people likely to be affected by flood waters. The storm is expected to hit the country on November 5th, unleashing torrential rains and a storm surge of up to six to nine feet that will put 1.5 million people at risk. UN authorities operating in the country say the biggest fear is people being caught by high waters and the potential spread of cholera. A recent outbreak has killed 440 people, with authorities reporting on November 4th a concerning spike in the death toll.

Authorities have begun urging people in low-lying areas to start a voluntary evacuation to higher ground if they can stay with family or friends or in community shelters. However, government capacity to speed an evacuation is limited and will likely be unable to accommodate the hundreds of thousands in tent cities and makeshift camps.