Matthew: Dominican Republic to evacuate 500,000

Santo Domingo.- Authorities on Sunday announced that all schoolswill be closed today Monday until Wednesday in over half the country, as part ofthe safety measures to deal with the possible effects from Hurricane Matthew, apowerful category 4 storm expected to bring downpours over half the country.

The Emergency Operations Center (COE) issued flash floodingalerts for the western half of the country and announced that at least 500,000people who will be evacuated in that area.

After a meeting of the COE in the National Palace, Presidencychief of staff Gustavo Montalvo said the decisions aim to protect property and savelives of Dominicans.

"We announce, as a result of this situation, that classesare suspended in 24 provinces,” the official said, adding that schools willcontinue as normal in the other provinces."