Final Hazard Report:

The country of Haiti is located in the boundaries between the Caribbean and North American tectonic plates. Since these plates are transformant, they cause major earthquakes. Many of these earthquakes are severe and have had many casualties. Because of Haiti’s location, these severe earthquakes end up creating tsunamis which floods the edges of the country. There is only so much a country can do for their people with a limited budget and no assistance. Haiti’s poverty limits the amount of help and money they have to be prepared for these hazards. For argument's sake, let’s say there is an unlimited budget to try and prevent the serious outcomes.

Haiti’s earthquakes are extremely severe and result in severe damage. Earthquakes alone are one of the major hazards in that country. Earthquakes can also result in tsunamis and flooding which is Haiti’s other severe hazard. I feel like these are the priority because of the toll results and damage to the country.

Preventing earthquakes is impossible, but by making buildings earthquake proof and having emergency quake kits would greatly decrease the numbers from the tolls. One way a building can become ‘quake-proof’ is by stabilizing the foundation more, maybe even elevating it (which will be discussed more for flooding). Walls, floors, ceilings, and doorways need to be made as stable as possible to survive a quake. Even though safety is never 100% guaranteed with refurbishments, by altering and upgrading the housing, the chances of the foundation cracking and falling are lower. Earthquake kits need to include protein bars and water pouches/bottles. The food and water need to be rationalized for a span of at least 3 days. Light sources such as flares and flashlights need to be included as well. Extra clothing and blankets need to be available too. Most people don’t realize that they can create their own survival kits.

Another severe hazard would be flooding, whether it be due to a tsunami or tropical storm, flooding needs to try and be prevented as well. As discussed in the earthquake portion, evelating a buildings foundation will help by making sure its raised above seas level more than it is. Another preparation would be to have inflatable rafts and life jackets accessible in buildings. Another way to help prevent flooding would be to introduce trees and shrubbery all around river banks and populated areas. Not only will the greenery help flood risks but it will also benefit reduction of mass wasting. They can also be used as filters so if any additional debris flows by it could get caught before causing damage. This could cause a dam affect and slow down the rushing water allowing either an evacuation (if needed) or to get to higher ground to reduce the risk of death.

In my opinion, earthquake help needs to be done all over the country, but the flooding prevention should be targeted more all around the edges of the country so the inland can be protected. If I were to pick a place to build my own house I would want to be somewhere higher than sea level, but also not on a mountain. Even though it’d be built to survive through quakes, I can’t prevent any types of mass wasting from the mountains. I believe that living away from the coast of the country would be the safest place to be.

Resources: https://www.imaginationstationtoledo.org/educator/activities/can-you-build-an-earthquake-proof-building

https://www.quakekare.com/earthquake

https://www.quora.com/Can-trees-be-used-strategically-to-prevent-flooding

     Throughout it's history Haiti has suffered cyclones, hurricanes, floods, and tropical storms. One of the worst hazards to happen is flooding. Because of Haiti's severe earthquakes, tsunamis happen and cause flooding. Not to mention tons of tropical storms that occur. Haiti's flooding is severe. Now that climate change is severe, the ocean levels are rising so flooding is more likely to happen. 

     As discussed in several other posts, flooding preventative strategies include buildings being elevated, planting trees and greenery, and warning systems. One way to accomplish this would be to  increase spending fees on flooding prevention tactics. It's hard enough as it is to save money for preventative strategies since Haiti is a very poor country. 

Resources: http://thinkhazard.org/en/report/108-haiti/CF

Hurricane Matthew: A cyclone hits Haiti

     In 2016 Hurricane Matthew tore through the East Coast of the U.S. What wasn't necessarily known was that Haiti was hit so hard by it that it was classified as a cyclone. The rains and high winds killed more than 470 people. Due to the poverty Haiti is in, they don't have proper disaster warning systems. It was said that Haitians were doing everything they usually would only hours before the storm hit. They have no one warning them about the potential danger coming to their country. The cities have shabby buildings and unsafe housing so the people can't even try to shelter themselves. Unlike Haiti, Cuba actually holds a disaster preparedness plan every month. Expenses for "disaster-proofing" locations are unfortunately out of Haiti's range.
RESOURCE: http://time.com/4522707/hurricane-matthew-haiti/

Haiti's Hurricanes
1873: Hurricane Five, 115 MPH winds
1935: Unnamed storm, 2000> deaths
1954: Hurricane Hazel, 1000> deaths
1955: Hurricane Katie, 7 deaths, 115 MPH winds
1963: Hurricane Flora, 8000 deaths, 145 MPH winds
1964: Hurricane Cleo, 192 deaths, 150 MPH winds
1966: Hurricane Inez, 480 deaths, 115 MPH winds
1979: Hurricane David, 115 MPH winds
1994: Hurricane Gordon, 1000 deaths
1998: Hurricane Georges, 400 deaths, destroyed 80% of crops
2004: Hurricane Jeanne, only floods killed 3000> deaths, 13 inches of rain
2008: Hurricane Hanna, Fay, Gustav, Ike, 793 deaths, 70% of crops destroyed
     Due to the country's poor funding, all their resources such as tree and coal were stripped from the mountains causing the rain water to completely rampage down.  The flooding alone can kill thousands. To try and reduce the flooding caused by these hurricanes, the country has been planting trees and other greenery to "re-forest" the mountains.
Resource: https://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/haiti.asp

Haiti's Mass Waste

     Haiti has very steep mountains and very soft soil due to tropical storms. The large earthquakes Haiti has always imposes a threat to landslides. Not only do earthquakes cause landslides, but they also shift the soils and make the ground more vulnerable to slide. The deforestation also contributes to landslides as well. Since trees aren't there to somewhat catch some of the debris and be rooted down into the Earth, the mud and waters flow straight down the mountain at insane speeds. 

     Haiti has steep mountains and severe earthquakes. When you put those together there a large chance of slope failure. Severe rains and shaking without tree roots or buffers for a chance to save damages.

RESOURCES: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=42333
                         https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/01/100114-haiti-earthquake-landslides/

     Haiti and the Dominican republic share a border on the Caribbean Plate. One crustal plate goes underneath the other (subduction zones),  this causes formations to occur underwater. Such activity is responsible for creating islands like the Caymans (https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2010/0121/Haiti-earthquake-Why-the-Caribbean-is-a-mini-ring-of-fire).
     There's a plethora of volcanic rock to see in Haiti, but no eruptions. There have been several earthquakes which may be the result of the subduction zones. Even though Haiti itself hasn't had an eruption, Mt. Pelee in Martinique is relatively close and erupted in 1932. It is considered the third deadliest volcano on Earth. It is constantly checked for deformations, variations of distance, and satellite recognition to make sure the people of Martinique are safe (https://mountpeleebyjuliaandmaddy.weebly.com/impacts-and-safety.html).
     Even though Haiti hasn't necessarily had an actual eruption, there are some very dangerous earthquakes that make up for it.

Haiti is located on the boundaries of the Caribbean and North American tectonic plates (www.bbc.uk)

The Caribbean plate is a Lithospheric plate which is smaller than a major tectonic plate such as the North American plate that Haiti lies on as well. Haiti’s playe boundaries are “transformant” which slide past one another resulting in some major earthquakes.

Let's start off with knowing the difference between a catastrophe, hazard, and disaster:
Catastrophe- a situation causing sufficient damage to people, property, or society in which the recovery process is long and complex. EX-hurricane, floods, tornadoes, tsunamis, volcanoes, and wildfires.
Disaster- a sudden event that causes great damage or loss of life during a limited time in a limited area. EX-earthquake, landslides, avalanche, and drought.
Hazard- a danger or a risk EX-electricity, wet floor, exposed wires.