Natural Disasters

Timeline

1751 – Earthquake destroys Port-au-Prince and surrounding towns
1842 – Earthquake destroys city of Cap-Haïtien
1946 – Magnitude 8.1 earthquake triggers tsunami that kills 1790
1954 – Hurricane Hazel kills hundreds of people in Haiti
1963 – Hurricane Flora kills more than 6,000 in Haiti and Cuba
1994 – Hurricane Gordon blamed for deaths of hundreds of people
1998 – Hurricane Georges destroys 80% of Haiti’s crops and kills more than 400
2004 – Hurricane Jeanne causes floods that kill more than 3,000
2010 – Magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurs near Port-au-Prince killing estimated 300,000
2021 – Magnitude 7.2 earthquake on Tiburon Peninsula kills 2,248

In addition to foreign political and economic interference, Haiti has been affected by numerous natural disasters. Two major fault systems on the island have caused devastating earthquakes. The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck near Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, killed an estimated 300,000 people in 2010. Like other countries in the region, Haiti is also frequently affected by hurricanes and deadly and damaging tropical storms. Areas with significant deforestation and soil erosion are particularly prone to severe flooding during these hurricanes and tropical storms. With climate change, there is evidence that these storms are becoming stronger and more intense. In 2021, as Haiti was recovering from Tropical Storm Grace, another major earthquake occurred, this time in the southwest part of the country.

Natural Disasters in Art

It is not surprising that these natural disasters feature prominently in the work of Haitian artists. Although much of media coverage focuses on the impacts on major cities, the effects in rural towns and villages are often more devastating. Several of the paintings in this portion of the exhibit focus on Gonaïves, a city in northern Haiti. Surrounded on three sides by mountains and hills, and the Caribbean Sea on the fourth, the area experienced deadly flooding and mudslides following torrential rainfalls in 2004 and 2008.  

The Echoes of Destruction January 12 Earthquake (Tranbleman tè 12 janvye) Joseph Augustine Haiti Friends Collection

These two paintings depict the catastrophic aftermath of the January 12, 2010, earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The first painting portrays a grim scene of the capital, with victims lying on the streets and trapped beneath collapsed structures. The iconic National Palace is shown in ruins, while international rescue teams work tirelessly to provide aid. The second image illustrates similar widespread destruction, highlighting the swift arrival of international humanitarian assistance in the wake of this devastating natural disaster.

Flooding in Gonaïves (Inondasyon Gonayiv) Elphabe Dieudonne Haiti Friends Collection

This painting illustrates the aftermath of Hurricane Jeanne’s impact on Gonaïves. The artist highlights the devastation in the communal areas outside the city. This is evident in the depiction of houses with tin or banana leaf roofs. The scene is set in the countryside, featuring mountains and trees in the background.

Gonaïves Flooding by Hurricane Jeanne (Inondasyon Gonayiv pa Cyclone Jeanne)  Absolu Jean Daudet Haiti Friends Collection

This scene depicts residents of Gonaïves who were forced to seek refuge on rooftops after Hurricane Jeanne caused severe flooding in 2004. In the sky, helicopters can be seen, representing the arrival of international aid and rescue efforts to assist the stricken population.

Life in the Camp After the 2010 Earthquake Dumerlus Jeune Haiti Friends Collection

Temporary camps were constructed following the devastating 2010 earthquake. Makeshift shelters made from tarps and metal sheets illustrate the crowded conditions. People are engaged in their various daily activities, showing that life must continue amidst the chaos. Electrical wires stretch precariously across the scene, hinting at efforts to provide utilities. This painting captures both the hardship and the enduring spirit of the people in the aftermath of the disaster.