Heavy rain in the Dominican Republic over the weekend resulted in the death of at least 21 people and forced thousands to flee their homes, according to local officials. The victims included three children and nine people who died in a landslide that occurred when heavy rain collapsed the wall of a highway tunnel in Santo Domingo, the capital city.
The Emergency Operations Center (COE) reported that the rain also caused flooded homes, power outages, and damage to bridges and roads throughout the country. President Louis Abinader described it as “the biggest rain event in the country’s history” and announced that school classes would be suspended until Wednesday to ensure the safety of students and teachers. Additionally, the US Embassy stated that rain, which is a result of a tropical cyclone, is expected to continue in parts of the country on Monday. Most of the country’s 32 provinces remain under red and yellow weather warnings.
Among those killed were four American citizens and three from neighboring Haiti, according to AFP. The disaster has caused widespread devastation throughout the region, with many people left without access to clean water or food. The government has launched an emergency response effort to provide aid to those affected by the storm.