The Dominican government estimated in US$1,200 million losses (approx. RD$18,000 million) caused by Hurricane Georges in the DR. As of Friday, 25 September, the death toll was 166. The Minister of the Armed Forces said that the 166 toll of deaths occurred 100 victims in the South, 34 in the East, 23 in the central Cibao and nine in the National District. More than 200,000 persons are provisionally lodged in 693 shelters. There are 250,000 persons homeless, 551 persons injured and 90 persons missing. San Juan de la Maguana, a bread basket area in the southwest, was one of the most affected by waters caused by the natural overflowing of thousands of tons of waters from the Sabaneta Dam that flooded in to the Mesopotamia town. Ministry of Public Works brigades are working on restoring land communication to the southwestern provinces of Barahona, Pedernales, Baoruco and Independencia. where the bridges over Yaque del Sur River were tumbled by the force of waters flowing from regional dams. Barahona and frontier provinces are not communicated by land with Santo Domingo because of the waters that caused major damages to bridges. To make it across, residents use boats. In Barahona, 27 persons were reported dead, primarily from overflowing of rivers, according to a report in El Siglo. Several aqueducts were destroyed, causing potable water distribution problems. The Ministry of Public Works said that heavy machinery is already in the area trying to rehabilitate the bridges. 70% of Dominican bridges suffered considerable damage. Minister of Public Works Diandino Peña said that six bridges in the south were affected, three in the East and two in the North East. He said that by next week, the Ministry would have an estimate of damages caused to the national ground transportation network.
