Heavy Rain Causes Flooding Across Santo Domingo

Intense rain flooded several parts of Santo Domingo on Monday afternoon and evening, forcing drivers to slow down, seek alternate routes or abandon vehicles in deep water. Some cars and sport utility vehicles became stranded and had to be pushed by people.

Water accumulated along Churchill, Sarasota, Luperón, Malecón, Independencia, Kennedy, Defilló and San Martín avenues, according to a Diario Libre tour of the affected areas. The flooding covered sections of roads and made travel difficult.

The rain resulted from a trough and the remnants of an active tropical wave, which also produced thunderstorms and wind gusts in parts of the Dominican Republic. The Emergency Operations Center raised Peravia to yellow alert while keeping Greater Santo Domingo, Monte Plata and San Cristóbal at that level.

The agency also placed 16 provinces on green alert. It forecast rainfall accumulations of 50 to 100 millimeters, with higher totals in isolated locations, and warned of further urban flooding in low-lying areas and along roads. Authorities urged residents not to cross flooded streets or rivers, identify evacuation routes and safe areas, prepare a 72-hour emergency bag, and follow local instructions.