Dominican Republic: Disruptions due to flooding ongoing across much of the country as of Nov. 20 /update 1

Disruptions due to flooding are ongoing across many parts of the Dominican Republic as of Nov. 20. Heavy rainfall in recent days associated with a tropical disturbance moving through the region has triggered widespread flooding and associated disruptions. As of early Nov. 20, authorities have reported at least 21 fatalities associated with the adverse weather; nine of the fatalities occurred when torrential rain caused a highway tunnel wall to collapse in the capital Santo Domingo. More than 13,000 people have been evacuated across the country, and around 2,600 homes have been affected by flooding. Damages to roads and bridges, power cuts, and communication outages have also been reported in affected areas. Several communities have been isolated by flooding and water distribution has been affected for over two million people. Schools across the country will remain closed through at least Nov. 22 to allow for damage assessments to be undertaken.

Further adverse weather is forecast across parts of the Dominican Republic in the coming days. The country's National Meteorological Office (Oficina Nacional de Meteorologia, ONAMET) has advised that heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong wind gusts are expected over eastern provinces and Atlantic coastal areas early Nov, 20. The adverse weather is expected to spread into central regions through Nov. 20, before rainfall begins to diminish overnight Nov. 20-21. ONAMET has issued warnings and alerts over the affected areas due to the threat of flooding and landslides.

As early Nov. 20, the Emergency Operations Center (Centro de Operaciones de Emergencias, COE) of the Presidency of the Dominican Republic is maintaining the following warnings for 29 of the country's 31 provinces, as well as the Distrito Nacional. The COE issued the alerts due to the possible flooding of rivers, streams, and ravines, as well as sudden urban and rural floods and landslides.

Red Alert (the highest level on a three-tier scale): Azua; Bahoruco; Barahona; Distrito Nacional; Duarte; Elias Pina; Independencia; Pedernales; Peravia; San Cristobal; San Jose de Ocoa; San Juan; Sanchez Ramirez; Santo Domingo

Yellow Alert: Dajabon; El Seibo; Espaillat; Hato Mayor; La Altagracia; La Romana; La Vega; Maria Trinidad Sanchez; Monsenor Nouel; Monte Plata; Samana; San Pedro de Macoris

Green Alert: Hermanas Mirabal; Puerto Plata; Santiago; Santiago Rodriguez

Officials may extend, rescind, or otherwise modify the warnings over the coming hours and days.

Further sustained heavy rainfall could trigger additional flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rainfall has saturated the soil.

Authorities could issue mandatory evacuation orders for flood-prone communities over the coming days. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are possible where significant flooding or landslides impact utility networks.

Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. Flooding could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are likely in areas that see heavy rainfall and track inundation. The severe weather may also cause flight disruptions at airports in affected areas.

Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.