The Ministry of Education called off school as of Wednesday, 6 September 2017 in the 17 provinces and the National District under red alert for Hurricane Irma. Originally, the COE had announced the provinces under red alert would be La Altagracia (Punta Cana and Higuey), El Seibo, Hato Mayor, Samaná, Espaillat (Moca), María Trinidad Sánchez (Nagua), Puerto Plata, Montecristi. But on Tuesday, the COE also added La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís, Santo Domingo and the National District, San Cristóbal, Peravia, Azua, Barahona and Pedernales.
Red alert in weather means that extreme weather is expected. People in the concerned areas should take action now to keep themselves and others safe from the impact of the weather. Widespread damage, travel and power disruption and risk to life is likely.
First wind and rain bands of Hurricane Irma are expected to be felt starting Wednesday, 6 September through Friday, 8 September.
Gloria Ceballos, director of the National Metereological Office (Onamet) highlighted that Hurricane Irma has sustained wind speeds of 285 km per hour and is moving to the west. The storm is expected to move along a west northwest course. So far, the east, northeast and north are expected to feel hurricane weather conditions, while the south and southwest will feel the brunt of a tropical storm.
Intense rains are expected to cause major flooding. Ceballos said the hurricane will bring rains of 300 millimeters (mm) to the most affected areas, but wide spread areas nationwide will receive around 200 mm of rain.
The DR1 Forums weather forecaster is located in Punta Cana. To follow the storm from a Dominican perspective, see the latest posts at DR1 Forums
6 September 2017
