11.00am A tropical storm WARNING remains in effect for the northern coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano westward to Bahio de Manzanillo at the border with Haiti. A tropical storm WATCH remains in effect for the southern coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano to Punta Palenque southwest of Santo Domingo. People living near low lying and river bed areas are already being evacuated by the Dominican Military and Red Cross Services as torrential rains are to be expected by this afternoon and this evening continuing through the night.From the National Hurricane Center:
The center of subtropical storm Olga was located near latitude 18.4 north...longitude 67.6 west or about 45 miles...75km east of Cabo Engano in the Dominican Republic...and about 1555 miles...250km east of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.
Olga is moving toward the west near 15mph or 24 km/hr...and this general motion should continue for next day or so. On this track the center of Olga should move near or over Hispaniola (Dominican Republic & Haiti) today and tonight.
Maximum sustained winds have decreased and are now near 40mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected before Olga reaches the coast of the Dominican Republic but weakening is forecast thereafter as Olga interacts with the terrain of Hispaniola.
Subtropical sotrm Olga is expected to produce rain accumulations of 2 to 4 inches over Puerto Rico with isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches. Rainfall amounts of 4 to 6 inches are possible over Hispaniola with possible isolated maximum totals of 10 inches.
THESE RAINS COULD PRODUCE LIFE THREATENING FLASH FLOODS AND MUDSLIDES.
If you are living in the Dominican Republic and are near a river bed, please move yourself to higher ground, go and stay with friends. Lock up your house etc.,. Local radio stations are currently advising the government will switch off electricity later today when storm hits to avoid unnecessary electrocutions and outages. So stock up on candles, batteries and also fresh drinking water now.
If you are on vacation in the Dominican Republic, please do not panic. Go and see your tour representatiive who will advise you all accordingly. Hoteliers in the Dominican Republic are used to hurricanes and tropical storms and have tried and tested procedures for such emergencies. Please adhere to what your hotel manager is advising and keep calm.
KEEP READING THEREALDR.COM FOR UPDATES ON SUBTROPICAL STORM OLGA and BOOKMARK THIS SITE FOR UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS.
