Haitian officials fear tent cities erected after the devastating 2010 earthquake could be swept away by floods in the coming weeks. Twenty-three people have already died from recent rain-triggered floods and mudslides in Haiti. The majority of the deaths occurred in the capital of Port au Prince. At least 2 residents of a tent city died when water flooded the camp. Two children were killed when their house collapsed and 13 people died in mudslides in the suburb of Petionville. Authorities say 6 people have been reported missing.
Officials have reported extensive damage in several areas. Dirt streets in Port au Prince were turned in to rivers of mud by torrential rain. Power lines and trees were toppled by raging waters and many homes were flattened. Emergency crews have already been dispatched to begin clearing debris.
A coordinator at the Civil Protection Department urged residents of at risk areas to make their way to safer ground. “We are asking the population to be vigilant and to leave areas at risk when it is raining," the coordinator said.
Weather forecasters predict more heavy rain for the devastated areas over the next few days.
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