The Listin Diario reports that 450 families were left without homes in the wake of the recent flooding that affected as many as 2,000 houses along the rivers of the Cibao Valley. Authorities also established a “yellow alert” for persons residing below Hatillo dam, since the overflow could cause local flooding. The head of the National Emergency Committee, Rear Admiral Radhames Lora Salcedo, told reporters that 26 people had been evacuated from the area near the San Rafael de Yuna bridge and placed in temporary shelters belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture. The “red alert” is remains in effect for inhabitants of the lower Yaque del Norte River, as far as Monte Cristi. According to Lora Salcedo, as many as 10,000 people were evacuated from their homes as the flooding began, although many have since returned to their dwellings. According to Silvio Carrasco, the head of the National Institute for Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI), over 10,000 acres of farmland under cultivation had been flooded in the Northwest. Rice crops, plantains and grazing lands have been affected. Carrasco was effusive in his praise of the effective use of the Tavera-Bao and Moncion dams that prevented greater flooding. Flooding was reported in Valverde, La Guajaca, Hatillo Palma, Laguna Salada, El Ahogado and Palo Verde.