NewsWhore
08-27-2008, 03:30 PM
The Center for Emergency Operations (COE) reports that 5,425 persons were evacuated due to heavy rains Hurricane Gustav brought with it as it brushed the Southwest yesterday becoming a category 1 hurricane on its way to Haiti. Eight (mother and six children and a neighbor) died on Wednesday, a day after the storm had passed due to a 2 am landslide caused by earth and rubbish dislodged by heavy rain in the Jarro Sucio slum (near Guachupita) of Santo Domingo. The father of the family, a navy man, did not spend the night there because he was on duty. Several communities were isolated due to the flooding. The storm primarily affected Barahona, Pedernales, Independencia, Elias Pina, Baoruco, Dajabon, Peravia, Azua, San Cristobal, Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, San Jose de Ocoa, San Juan de la Maguana, San Pedro de Macoris, Duarte, Monte Plata, Sanchez Ramirez, Monsenor Nouel and La Vega.
The Ministry of Education suspended classes in areas affected by the rains until tomorrow. The Ministry of Public Health issued a health warning for extra precautions, especially in the cases of flooding and sewage overflow, that may cause illness and spread of disease. Listin Diario carries the sad story of a 17-year old girl who died in Santo Domingo when her case of dengue was misdiagnosed for falcemia, a disease she suffered, and she was not treated for dengue in time.
On the positive side, the storm brought welcome waters for the several of the nation's hydroelectric dams that also produce electricity. According to a CDEEE report, the hydroelectric plants produced 220 megawatts, up from 150 megawatts in previous weeks. But Hamlet Otanez, director of the Santiago Water Authority (Coraasan) complained that the dam authorities had been too conservative and had released too much water to fast, thus affecting potable water supply in Santiago.
With the exception of Barahona and Pedernales, mostly destinations for a trickle of adventure tourists, the rains did not affect vacation destinations in the country that are located primarily on the eastern and northern coasts.
The weather forecast is for the rains to continue into the weekend.
For DR weather reports, see http://www.dr1.com/forums/weather-beyond/
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)
The Ministry of Education suspended classes in areas affected by the rains until tomorrow. The Ministry of Public Health issued a health warning for extra precautions, especially in the cases of flooding and sewage overflow, that may cause illness and spread of disease. Listin Diario carries the sad story of a 17-year old girl who died in Santo Domingo when her case of dengue was misdiagnosed for falcemia, a disease she suffered, and she was not treated for dengue in time.
On the positive side, the storm brought welcome waters for the several of the nation's hydroelectric dams that also produce electricity. According to a CDEEE report, the hydroelectric plants produced 220 megawatts, up from 150 megawatts in previous weeks. But Hamlet Otanez, director of the Santiago Water Authority (Coraasan) complained that the dam authorities had been too conservative and had released too much water to fast, thus affecting potable water supply in Santiago.
With the exception of Barahona and Pedernales, mostly destinations for a trickle of adventure tourists, the rains did not affect vacation destinations in the country that are located primarily on the eastern and northern coasts.
The weather forecast is for the rains to continue into the weekend.
For DR weather reports, see http://www.dr1.com/forums/weather-beyond/
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)