Heavy rain and floods prompt evacuation of over 20 000, Dominican Republic
Significant rainfall caused by almost stationary frontal system in the eastern portion of the country and resulting heavy floods have prompted evacuations of more than 20 000 people in Dominican Republic over the last couple of days.
The Emergency Operations Center (COE) issued a red alert on February 22 for the provinces Espaillat, Puerto Plata and María Trinidad Sánchez. Santiago, Duarte, Sanchez Ramirez and Hermanas Mirabal are on yellow flood alert.
FloodList reports over 70 mm of rain fell in 24 hours between February 20 and 21 in Savana de la Mar, a town in the Hato Mayor province of the Dominican Republic. Puerto Plata in the northern province Puerto Plata, saw 53.7 mm during the same period. The following day the Las Americas airport area close to Santo Domingo saw 58.9 mm of rain.
COE said that 3 979 homes have been flooded or damaged and 20 completely destroyed.
According to their reports, more than 20 000 people were displaced at one point. As of February 22, that number has fallen to 15 475.
Authorities said there are heavy losses in agriculture.
Featured image credit: Noticias SIN
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