Downpours bring death and destruction to north region

Santo Domingo.- The downpours of the last fewhours have left one dead, 1,500 families displaced, at least 15 housesdestroyed, several communities cut off in the Cibao (north) region, and damagesto roads and bridges, as well as dozens of villages without power.

President Danilo Medina declared Espaillat,Maria Trinidad Sánchez, La Vega and Puerto Plata provinces under a state of emergency,while the Education Ministry on Sunday night ordered that all schools be shut.

The state of emergency will expedite proceduresby government agencies to contract goods and services to assist affected peopleand towns.