Residents of the Dominican Republic are facing an extended period of heightened weather risk, as the country’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) has opted to prolong a green weather alert covering seven provinces and the National District. The extended warning comes as a complex combination of atmospheric conditions — a low-pressure trough, residual moisture from a tropical wave, and localized environmental factors — conspire to raise the chance of disruptive extreme weather across multiple parts of the island nation.
The jurisdictions placed under the continued green alert include Santiago Rodríguez, Puerto Plata, Santiago, Dajabón, San Cristóbal, Santo Domingo, and the National District, which hosts the country’s capital. Forecasters from the Dominican Institute of Meteorology note that the combined weather system will drive moderate to locally intense rainfall across wide swathes of the country, with the highest concentration of showers expected along the Caribbean coastline, the northern and northwestern inland regions, the Central Mountain Range, and areas along the country’s border with Haiti.
While only seven provinces and the National District carry the formal green alert, emergency officials are also cautioning that a number of neighboring regions could see just as much heavy precipitation. These additional at-risk areas include La Altagracia, San Pedro de Macorís, Monte Plata, Barahona, La Vega, Espaillat, Valverde, and Monseñor Nouel.
In line with the extended alert, COE has rolled out clear precautionary guidance for the public. The agency has specifically urged residents living in low-lying, vulnerable zones near rivers, streams, and steep ravines to prepare for the potential of widespread flooding and fast-moving flash floods. To reduce preventable risk, officials have also advised the public to avoid attempting to cross swollen creeks or rivers, and to steer clear of recreational sites located within the alert zones.
Juan Manuel Méndez García, a representative of COE, emphasized that emergency management teams will continue closely tracking the evolving weather system. He called on all Dominican citizens to stay up to date on official weather forecasts and follow all guidance issued by emergency response authorities to keep themselves and their families safe throughout the event.