The Emergency Operations’ Center (COE) has increased the state of alert from green to yellow for the Atlantic coast, due to high waves. Small and medium sized boats from Manzanillo in Montecristi to Cabo Engaño in La Altagracia have been ordered to stay in port. In the Bay of Samaná, small boats must not leave the bay area.
In addition those living in Matancitas in Maria Trinidad Sánchez province and in Gaspar Hernández in Espaillat have been told to take preventive measure for possible coastal flooding.
In Puerto Plata those at the beach are not allowed to swim and aquatic activities have been suspended. In addition hotels have been told to fly red flags.
The Association of Small Boat Owners of Puerto Plata has decided to take all of its boats to Luperon harbor as a precaution.
Meanwhile, around 10 families had to be evacuated from their dwellings in Río San Juan, María Trinidad Sánchez province and in Gaspar Hernández, Espaillat due to the rising ocean water caused by waves of more than 12 feet product of the low pressure system. Seven families were rescued from Acapulco sector in Río San Juan. The houses, nevertheless, were not damaged, but debris was littered all around the streets, as reported by the Center for Emergency Operations.
The high tide was also felt in the Puerto Plata Malecon area and in Macao Beach in Punta Cana, but there have not been reports of evacuations.
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6 March 2018
