The recent downpours that covered the entire North Coast and the Cibao Valley have caused at least three deaths and flooded hundreds of houses. Authorities have identified three dead, so far. The three days in intense showers have caused creeks and rivers to overflow their banks and damaged crops and cattle operations in at least six communities along the North Coast. The towns of La Isabela, Sabaneta de Yasica, Guzmancito, Cambiazo, El Toro, Palo Indio, Guzman and Camu all were affected by the water. Of the victims, Bienvenido Rodriguez was electrocuted by a high tension cable that fell as a result of the rains. Another victim, Enrique Antonio Espinal, who lived in Buena Vista, Santiago, was driving a truck along the highway between Navarrete and Santiago and crashed as he tried to avoid one of the landslides. Mario Alvarez, a 19 year old, also died from electrocution from a fallen cable in the town of La Isabela.
Technicians from the Ministry of Agriculture were working on the damage estimates. In Santiago, the local representative of the Ministry of Agriculture told reporters from Hoy that the rains had not damaged any crops, and, in fact, had been quite beneficial to the croplands, so far.
In Puerto Plata, on the other hand, the Los Dominguez and the Los Mamayes rivers that cross the city on their way to the sea flooded several of the neighborhoods, including Los Bordas, Los Rieles and Playa Oeste. Streets such as Separacion, Camino Real and 30 de Marzo were also flooded. There were landslides reported along the Luperon Tourist Highway.
Frank Rodriguez, the chief of INDRHI, reported that Tavera hydroelectric Dam was releasing 50 cubic meters per second and Rincon dam was releasing 25 cubic meters per second as a preventive measure. Reports from Amina, in Valverde Province say that the Amina River rose to cover the bridge that connects that town with Mao.