The Emergency Operations Committee (COE) in Dominican Republic have said that almost 4,000 people have been displaced by recent flooding in the country after several days of heavy rainfall. One person has been reported as missing after he was swept away by flood water in Hato Mayor province.
The floods have damaged over 600 houses and left several communities cut off. Bridges, roads and power lines have also been damaged. The worst affected areas have been the eastern parts of the country, in particular the provinces of San Pedro de Macoris, El Seibo and Hato Mayo.
No relief centres or temporary accommodation have been set up for the displaced, who are all currently being housed by relatives or neighbours.
High rainfall levels have led to the overflowing of several rivers, including the Ozama and Soco. According to WMO, in a 24 hour period between 23 and 24 August 2014, 128 mm of rain fell in La Romana, Dominican Republic.
The heavy rain is a result of Tropical Cyclone Cristobal in the Caribbean which has affected other countries since 23 August, and is headed for the Bahamas, although has since weakened and been downgraded to a tropical storm.
Three people are reported to have died in flooding in Saint-Marc, Haiti. Flooding was also reported in Turks and Caicos islands.
