Freak tropical weather has affected the Dominican Republic, causing at least 8 reported deaths through out the country and also destroying farmlands and many areas are without electricity as the torrential rain and winds continue. The storm has been named as Tropical Storm Noel, while the storm is passing the Dominican Republic has been heavily hit since Sunday afternoon.Many of the deaths have been caused by flash flooding and people drowning as the waters have quickly risen and people have not had time to evacuate properly.
In Haina which is in the San Cristobal province three people have been killed by a landslide and a further three more people killed in the south western province of San Jose de Ocoa as a direct result of heavy rains.
The Emergency operations Center or the COE, has warned that the worst is not yet over and that rescue corps will be continuing to evacuate people who live in high risk areas because a rise in water levels is expected to begin within the afternoon.
All boats have been instructed to remain in port, power and telephone lines are down leaving a lot of the south and western parts of the Dominican Republic without any means of communication.
A flood alert is in place from the National Meteorological office for people living in low lying areas and near rivers, streams and gullies.
The following areas are currently under a Red Alert: Azua, San Cristobal, Pera+via, Independencia, Barahona, Perdanales, Espaillat, Salcedo, Duarte, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Dajabon, Montecristi, Santiago Rodriguez, La Vega, Monte Plata, El Seibo, Hato Mayor, Monsenor Nouel, Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo.
