Severe rains and winds due to a passing trough system have been impacting the Dominican Republic for almost a week. The Center for Emergency Operations (COE) has placed 27 provinces of the country’s 32 under alert. Only San Juan de la Maguana, Independencia, Baoruco in the southwest and Montecristi in the northwest are not under alert.
The forecast is for a sixth consecutive day of constant rains and potential flooding mainly in the central Cibao, northeast and southeast.
The Caribbean is under the effects of the weather phenomenon known as “La Niña” that brings above average volumes of rain. Listin Diario reports that almost as much rain fell in one day in April as in an entire month. There were 140.5 mms of rain on 19 April 2022.
Yellow alerts have been placed coast to coast. The alerts were issued for Greater Santo Domingo, Santiago, Santiago Rodríguez, La Vega, Monseñor Nouel, María Trinidad Sánchez, San Cristóbal, Monte Plata, San José de Ocoa, Pedernales, Barahona, Hato Mayor, El Seibo, La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís and La Altagracia (Higuey and Punta Cana).
Green alerts were issued for Sánchez Ramírez, Peravia, Azua, Puerto Plata, Elias Piña, Dajabón, Samaná, Espaillat, Hermanas Mirabal, Valverde and Duarte province.
The COE issues three weather alerts. The explanations of these are:
The Yellow Alert is issued to warn people to be aware of the danger of heavy rains that may cause a flood. During Yellow Alert, weather should be constantly monitored and people prepared to go to a safe place in case they are in a risk zone.
Green Alert is issued to alert the population of possible impacts of a weather phenomenon.
Red Alert is for areas in most danger. It indicates that the population should be ready for severe weather and be ready to relocate to a safe place before and during the phenomenon’s impact.
Read more in Spanish:
N Digital
Listin Diario
COE
Onamet
21 April 2022