Dominican Republic – Floods Displace Thousands After 400mm of Rain in 24 Hours

Flooding has caused major problems in at least 6 provinces in the Dominican Republic after staggering amounts of rainfall over the last few days.

According to the country’s meteorological office (ONAMET), almost 400 mm of rain fell in 24 hours in Barahona between 22 and 23 April, 2017. Further heavy rain has fallen since, mostly in southern areas of the country.

In their latest report of 25 April, the Emergency Operations Centre (Centro de Operaciones de Emergencias – COE) says that flooding has affected several areas in Santo Domingo, San Cristóbal, Monte Plata, Sánchez Ramírez, Duarte and Barahona provinces. Several rivers have overflowed, including the Ozama, Yuna, Cevicos, Manoguayabo and Haina.

As many as 3,429 homes have been damaged or affected by the flooding, with around 9 houses completely destroyed. Emergency services and military have rescued 153 people.

COE says that 17,145 people have been forced to evacuate their homes. Just over 300 people were being housed in official shelters in San Cristóbal (297) and Barahona (14).

The heavy rain is part of the same server weather system that has brought flooding to Jamaica and Haiti over the last few days.

This is the second major flood event in 2 months in the Dominican Republic. In March 2017 flooding in northern areas displaced around 1,7000 people.

Late last year the country suffered two devastating floods. In October Hurricane Matthew caused deaths and major damage. The following month several days of heavy rain caused flooding in northern areas once again, displacing around 20,000.

President Danilo Medina visits flood hit areas of Barahona, Dominican Republic, April 2017.
Foto: Luis Ruiz Tito/Presidencia República Dominicana
floods in Manoguayabo, Santo Domingo, April 2017. Photo: Fuerza Aérea de República Dominicana
Rainfall in Dominican Republic, 22 to 23 April 2017. Image: ONAMET

Flood Summary

Last updated: April 26, 2017
Event
Dominican Republic, April 2017
Date
April 21, 2017
Type
River flood
Cause
Extreme rainfall

Locations

A - Manoguayabo
B - Monte Plata
C - San Cristobal
D - Duarte
E - Sánchez Ramírez
F - Barahona

Magnitude

Rainfall level
50.8 mm in 24 hours
Polo-Barahona - April 21 to April 22, 2017
Rainfall level
396.0 mm in 24 hours
Aerop. De Barahona - April 22 to April 23, 2017
Rainfall level
284 mm in 24 hours
Polo-Barahona - April 22 to April 23, 2017
Rainfall level
240 mm in 24 hours
Villa Altagracia - April 22 to April 23, 2017
Rainfall level
89.2 mm in 24 hours
Peralta - April 22 to April 23, 2017
Rainfall level
87.4 mm in 24 hours
Oviedo - April 22 to April 23, 2017
Rainfall level
71.3 mm in 24 hours
Juma-Bonao - April 22 to April 23, 2017
Rainfall level
70.1 mm in 24 hours
San Cristobal - April 22 to April 23, 2017
Rainfall level
149.9 mm in 24 hours
Villa Altagracia - April 23 to April 24, 2017
Rainfall level
96.4 mm in 24 hours
Aerop. de Barahona - April 23 to April 24, 2017
Rainfall level
92.7 mm in 24 hours
San Jose De Ocoa-Met - April 23 to April 24, 2017
Rainfall level
71.1 mm in 24 hours
Bani - April 23 to April 24, 2017

Damages

Buildings destroyed
9 buildings
April 21 to April 25, 2017
A further 3,429 homes were affected / damaged, according to COE report of 25 April, 2017.
Evacuated
17,000
April 21 to April 25, 2017
According to COE report of 25 April, 2017, a total of 314 people were staying in official shelters.: 17 in Barahona and the remainder in San Cristóbal.
Rescued
153 people
April 21 to April 26, 2017
Infrastructure
10 bridges
April 21 to April 26, 2017
10 bridges have suffered damage according to COE. 13 roads have also suffused severe damage, leaving 75 communities cut off.