Former governor of Espaillat urges government to declare entire northern coast in a state of emergency

MOCA. — The entire northern coastline of Espaillat province must be declared a state of emergency immediately, according to former governor and Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) Central Committee member Diloné Ovalles. Prolonged and intense rainfall since Tuesday afternoon has severely impacted the area.

Ovalles stated that the unrelenting rains have devastated the municipality of Gaspar Hernández and the municipal districts of Joba Arriba, Veragua, and Yásica.

“The provincial and national authorities cannot turn their backs and act indifferent in the face of such a difficult situation for the residents of these communities,” Ovalles emphasized.

He called on President Luis Abinader and the central government to officially declare the region a state of emergency and to provide immediate aid to the affected families.

Recalling past emergencies, Ovalles pointed to similar flooding on October 16, 2016, when, as governor, he led the emergency response. “We deployed aid to the area, even airlifting people out by helicopter. We set up a mobile kitchen that operated for over a month, distributing more than 3,000 hot meals, along with water, mattresses, mosquito nets, and appliances to those who had lost everything,” he said.

Forecast & Alerts: Situation May Worsen

Meteorologist Jean Suriel reported that rainfall is expected to intensify throughout Saturday afternoon and evening, particularly in the affected region and other parts of the northern coast. Authorities in Duarte, Hermanas Mirabal, Espaillat, and Puerto Plata should remain on high alert, he advised.

According to a report by journalist Merilenny Mueses, the provinces currently facing the highest risk are:

Red Alert (highest risk):

• Gaspar Hernández (Espaillat)

• Sabaneta de Yásica (Puerto Plata)

Yellow Alert (moderate risk):

• La Vega

• Monseñor Nouel

• Santiago

• Samaná

• La Altagracia

• Hermanas Mirabal

• María Trinidad Sánchez

• Santo Domingo

• Distrito Nacional

Green Alert (preventive/low risk):

• Sánchez Ramírez

• San Cristóbal

• Hato Mayor

• La Romana

• Valverde

• Duarte

• San Pedro de Macorís

• El Seibo

• Monte Plata

• Santiago Rodríguez

• San José de Ocoa