Dominican Republic: 1 Dead, 2 Missing as Tropical Storm Franklin Hits

Tropical Storm Franklin wreaked havoc in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, triggering severe floods and landslides as it made landfall in the southern region of the country, AP reports.

Tragically, at least one person lost their life, while two individuals remain missing in the aftermath of the storm's impact.

Following its landfall, Tropical Storm Franklin gradually veered away from the shared island of Hispaniola, where the Dominican Republic and Haiti are located.

The storm unleashed relentless heavy rainfall for an extended period before finally starting to subside late Wednesday afternoon.

Meteorologists had issued warnings of the storm's potential to bring heavy precipitation to the region.

Projections indicated the possibility of up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rainfall for the Dominican Republic, particularly concentrated in the western and central areas, with a maximum of 16 inches (41 centimeters).

To safeguard the population, Juan Manuel Méndez, the emergency operations director, stressed the importance of individuals seeking shelter indoors or with loved ones or finding refuge in designated shelters to ensure their safety.

Tragedy struck with the loss of a life. Carlos Marino Martínez, a man from San Cristobal, tragically succumbed to floodwaters and was swept away.

Initially thought to be one of the Civil Defense volunteers, the agency later corrected the information, clarifying that there was a mistake in identifying his uniform.

In addition to the fatality, two women from the same city suffered injuries from a landslide triggered by the storm.

Dominican Republic President Says "Businesses Will Return" ASAP

Dominican President Luis Abinader, in a briefing with the COE (Emergency Operations Center), conveyed the government's commitment to assisting communities affected by the aftermath of Tropical Storm Franklin.

He confirmed that schools and businesses would resume operations on Thursday, emphasizing a return to normalcy after the storm's disruptive effects.

Abinader stated, "Business will return to normal starting tomorrow," per Reuters.

A preliminary report from the COE indicated that while no homes were completely destroyed by the storm, more than 500 residences suffered damage. Over 300 individuals sought refuge in temporary shelters due to the storm's impact.

The destructive force of the storm extended to infrastructure, with six Dominican communities cut off from access. Roads, water infrastructure, and the electrical grid were among the vital systems damaged by the storm's onslaught, according to emergency services.

As a precautionary measure, authorities in the Dominican Republic implemented a red alert for 25 provinces due to the potential threat of flooding from rivers, streams, and creeks.

Seven additional provinces were placed under a yellow alert, signifying elevated readiness for possible flooding incidents.

Preceding the storm's impact, flooding had already been reported in the capital city of Santo Domingo and surrounding areas. Residents were alert, bracing for heavy rainfall and potential flood risks.

Tropical Storm Franklin, Expected to Hit Haiti

Tropical Storm Franklin's trajectory remained a cause for concern as it progressed northward, as reported by the US National Hurricane Center.

The storm was anticipated to traverse Hispaniola throughout the day before emerging over the southwest Atlantic Ocean.

In the Caribbean, the spotlight of apprehension was on Haiti, a nation susceptible to catastrophic flooding due to its severe erosion and topography, Al Jazeera noted.

The Haitian Civil Protection Agency issued a warning, indicating that the storm would likely bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to multiple regions nationwide.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry took proactive measures ahead of the storm's impact, urging Haitians to prepare by stocking up on essential supplies such as water, food, and medication.

Through social media, Prime Minister Henry conveyed the government's commitment to providing secure shelters, sustenance, clean water, and medical aid to all those potentially affected by the storm.

Collaborative efforts involving local authorities, relief agencies, and partner organizations aimed to leave no one behind in the face of adversity.

Meanwhile, anticipating Tropical Storm Franklin's impact, the United Nations' World Food Program took proactive measures to aid and support the affected regions in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Tropical Storm Franklin causes flooding in Haiti, Dominican Republic - From WPLG Local 10