Over the weekend, the main headlines were dedicated to the effects the continuous rains have had on vast areas of the Cibao Valley. El Caribe reported that 15,000 people had been affected by the rising flood waters, with one death confirmed. In Gaspar Hernandez, situated on the North Coast, 3,000 families were cut off by the waters of the Beragua River, the body of water that claimed the life of Mariano Baez. Civil Defense brigades, firefighters and Public Works teams attempted to clear the roads of the refuse left behind by the flooding of the area’s two rivers, the Beragua and the Yasica. The communities of Batey Ginebra, Las Marias, Semillero I, La Lomota, La Cuchara, Rincon, and La Boca were reconnected with the main highways. Helicopters were used to fly in food to the isolated communities, and, according to the provincial governor, hundreds of families were evacuated from the areas of highest risk. Farmland in the region, noted for its plantains, yucca and batatas, was severely damaged. In Santiago de los Caballeros, the situation is markedly different with hundreds of flood refugees returning to their homes after spending several days in emergency shelters or with relatives. Officials commented that the families are returning to the same dangerous housing that was either flooded or nearly flooded this past week. The Touristic Highway that connects Puerto Plata and Santiago was reopened, although authorities warn that landslides could still occur. Further east, in the province of Maria Trinidad Sanchez, some 40 rural communities that had been without access to any main roads began to recover slowly. Life in Puerto Plata was reported to be returning to normal after the torrential rains flooded and isolated some of the most disadvantaged neighborhoods and communities. City officials were working on cleaning the drainage pipes and clearing the refuse deposited by the flood waters.
The weather department has forecast good weather for the holidays.