Dominican Republic Expands Green Alert to 22 Provinces Amid Heavy Rain Forecast

The Dominican Republic’s emergency operations center has expanded its green alert to 22 provinces, preparing for significant rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds expected from Thursday through Saturday. The expansion reflects the intensifying impact of a tropospheric trough combined with humidity from the Caribbean and Pacific oceans.

What happened

Initially, six northern and western provinces were under alert after recent rains damaged 42 homes and a bridge in La Vega and Mao Source: Listín Diario. By Thursday, authorities extended the warning nationwide due to forecasted "significant rains" that could cause urban flooding and river overflows Source: Hoy. Indomet director Gloria Ceballos noted that accumulations will be heaviest along the southern coast, including Barahona and Pedernales Source: Infobae.

Emergency Response

The Center for Emergency Operations (COE) activated contingency plans involving the military, Red Cross, and local governments Source: Infobae. Officials urged citizens to avoid crossing flooded rivers and to prepare family emergency kits Source: El Día. Coordination meetings were held with Santo Domingo mayors to protect vulnerable communities Source: Infobae.

Key Points

• Scope: Alert covers 22 provinces, including the capital region and major tourist zones Source: El Día.
• Hazards: Thunderstorms, moderate-to-strong showers, and gusty winds pose flood risks Source: Hoy.
• Impact: Early incidents included tree falls trapping residents in Mao and widespread home inundations Source: Listín Diario.

While sources agree on the meteorological cause, they differ slightly on the initial count of affected provinces before the full expansion, with early reports citing six and later updates confirming 22 Source: Diario Libre vs. Infobae. Residents are advised to monitor official channels for real-time updates.