Tropical Storm Dorian is unlikely to affect the Dominican Republic. At 8am on Wednesday, 28 August 2019, the National Hurricane Center of the United States had located the storm at 17.1N 64.1W. The storm is now removed from the Mona Channel that divides Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The storm is small and compact. At most, weather forecasts now indicate the country will receive heavy rain, gusty winds and high surf along its east and northeastern coasts.
The early forecast of a hit has helped prepare the nation for the peak hurricane season that historically has run from the end of August through September. The earlier forecast had the storm crossing Punta Cana, the nation’s leading tourist destination and serve to rev up regional protocols.
To prepare, on Monday, 26 August 2019, La Altagracia province governor Ramón Güílamo Alfonso had met with the institutions that make up the Center for Emergency Operations (COE) in the municipality. During the meetings, the mayors and municipal directors of Higüey, San Rafael del Yuma, Bayahibe and Verón-Punta Cana coordinated actions with representatives of the Civil Defense, Dominican Red Cross and Fire Brigade. Also participating were executives of the Consorcio Energético Punta Cana-Macao (CEPM), hotels, tour operators and water and land excursions. The Punta Cana Macao Energy Consortium (CEPM) is collaborating with the pruning of trees and the cleaning of scuppers by the municipalities.
La Altagracia province has about 350 experienced volunteers and sufficient equipment for the mobilization of obstacles. The 911 Emergency System is also now operating in La Altagracia province.
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Diario Libre
Z101
NHC
DR1
28 August 2019