Flooding: Hundreds evacuated, homes damaged, villages cut off

Santo Domingo.- The Emergency Operations Center (COE) on Fridaysaid seven communities are still cut of, 335 people were evacuated, and 67houses and two bridges damaged from the continuing downpours.

It said 22 provinces are still under alert for flashflooding and swelled rivers.

The COE said the Carabajal river swelled its bank and collapsedthe bridge at Los Guineos, which keeps several communities cut off in southern SanCristobal province.

In northern Maria Trinidad Sanchez, the flooding from the swollenSoldado and Palmar rivers damaged 25 homes in the town Pueblo Nuevo; andanother 42 dwellings in various parts of the city Nagua.

In a press conference, COE director Juan Manuel Mendez said the communitiesRanchito, Guananico and Peralta continue to cut off, from the collapse of oneof the approaches of the Gunanico bridge, in the town of Perez , Imbert township,Puerto Plata.