In the summer of 2008, within 3 weeks, 4 tropical storms or hurricanes hit the country of Haiti. These storms caused massive flooding, mud slides and death. Gonaives, a city of 300,000 along the main road that connects southern Haiti to the north, received the largest amount of damage from these storms. Because they lack cooking fuel resources in the country, and have a growing population, the Haitian people have deforested the country to make charcoal for cooking. As a result, erosion on the hills and mountainsides can cause severe flooding and mud slides. They also lack proper drainage in the cities which compounds the problem. Adding to the problem humanitarian aide was not able to reach the city because a bridge was washed out by the flood waters so food and aide needed to be brought in via helicopters. Bryan and Mike had an opportunity to travel the road from Port Au Prince, Haiti to Cap Haitian 6 weeks after the last storm hit the country. The following photos were taken of Gonaives, Haiti.
Notice the treeless mountain on the outskirts of the city and the erosion on the mountain side.
These women are washing their clothes in the dirty water running down the street. Notice the mattresses drying out in the sun
There was still standing water in places. Water was reported to have risen 6.5 feet throughout many parts of the city.
The buckets and pans in the foreground would have been used for collecting water for washing dishes or clothes. These women are selling small items such as candy, crackers, or cigarettes.
A vehicle that was overturned by the force of the water and mud.
If you look closely in this photo you can see how everything was once covered in mud.
Possibly a makeshift shelter. Over 70,000 people lost their homes in the city and were looking for other shelter.
