not sure about it... i remember when i was there that ocean was very very close to road and houses...no cliffs (i am talking about malecon) and uphils, land almost on the same level as ocean....
but maybe you are right...
I was in Monte Cristi and Manzanillo about 10 days. Everything was as usual. Heavy rains occur there but not often. Just outside the town are countless 20 ft cactus. K