Country: Liberia Sources: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Liberian Red Cross Society Please refer to the attached file. Description Since August 19, 2026, there has been sustained heavy rainfall consistent with the Liberia rainy season, which has caused widespread flash and riverine flooding across seven counties: Montserrado, Cape Mount, Grand Bassa, Bomi, Bong, Rivergss, and Nimba. Montserrado, home to Monrovia ( Liberia’s Capital), has a dense urban corridor and the epicenter, with informal settlements along the St. Paul River, StocktonCreek, Du River, and the Mesurado River. Wetlands especially exposed to slow-draining flooding water. More than 5000 residents across 10 communities in Monrovia ( the Capital) are currently displaced, with an estimated 64, 000 people affected nationwide, facing damaged housing, contaminated water sources, disrupted livelihoods, and heightened waterborne disease risk. This escalation follows the NDMA’s June 30, 2026 warning of rising flood risk in Monrovia, citing the Meteorological Service Forecast of 218. 7- 754. 2 mm rainfall and 88-90% humidity, conditions that limit drainage and prolong flooding. The current crisis reflects that the projected risk is materializing, compounded by weak urban drainage, wetland encroachment, and unplanned settlement growth The flooding situation across the affected counties remains active, with heavy rain continuing to compound an already critical humanitarian emergency. In Montserrado County, floodwater continues to settle in wetlands, sheltering with relatives and host homes across the 10 communities. No fatalities have been reported to date, but transportation routes and livelihoods remain challenged, and contaminated water sources are elevating the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks among the estimated 64, 000 people affected nationwide. Request For Assistance Government Requests International Assistance: Yes NS Requests International Assistance: Yes Information Bulletin Published No Actions taken by Federation Summary The LNRCS Community-Based Action Teams (CBATs), together with Branch and Chapter volunteers, have been deployed to collect information for this SITREP and support the evacuation of vulnerable individuals, including older persons, children, and persons with disabilities. LNRCS is also coordinating closely with the NDMA and relevant county-level structures, reinforcing its auxiliary role to the Government in supporting affected and at-risk communities. The National Society response teams have also begun providing Psychological First Aid (PFA) to affected people, particularly those who have been displaced by the flooding. In addition, LNRCS has pre-positioned and deployed additional first-aid kits to affected counties to strengthen its capacity to provide timely first-aid services to individuals who may sustain injuries during the emergency. Actions taken by RCRC Summary Ahead of the flooding, with funding and technical support from the Swedish Red Cross team in-Country, an Anticipatory Action (AA) was piloted in Montserrado and Cape Mount, training 40 volunteers and establishing CBATs in four communities. The pilot mapped vulnerabilities, assessed local capacities, and cleaned key drainage in high-risk zones, groundwork that reduced flood severity in places and enabled a faster response, with Montserrado worst affected. Actions taken by others The Government has alerted all partners to strengthen coordination and collaboration in the flooding situation. The National Flood Preparedness Plan has also been activated, along with the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), to support coordinated response efforts. In addition, the Liberia National Police has issued a flood warning, urging the public and relevant stakeholders to remain vigilant, follow safety guidance, and avoid using flooded roads and streets to reduce the risk of accidents and loss of life. Planned International Response DREF: Planned
Liberia: LBR: Flood – 08-2026 – Flood (2026-08-21)
RELATED ARTICLES
