With forecasts that predicted the storm would be at a distance of 140 miles from the Dominican Republic as it passes this afternoon over the North Coast, Frances has kept to its US weather service forecast track (NHOA) and has headed north. This course moves it away from the Dominican Republic. With the exception of some big breakers, wind gusts and ocean swells, Frances has hardly been felt at all. The local weather service is still warning of intense rains for the North Coast, but so far reports from Puerto Plata say that tourists in the area have spent the day watching the ocean tides, and there have only been light rains. For information on the progress of the storm as it approached the DR, see http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34105