Unprecedented rains hit Santiago: historical volume triples in less than 24 hours

Santiago, DR.- The city of Santiago was the scene of an extraordinary meteorological phenomenon this Thursday, October 30, when 61.9 millimeters of rain were recorded in less than 24 hours, a figure that triples the area’s usual historical rainfall.

The data was confirmed by the executive director of Civil Defense, Juan Salas, who described the event as “unprecedented” in the city’s recent history. “We, who operate a noise meter, had previously recorded a maximum of 22 millimeters; this time it was 61.9 millimeters, an extraordinary amount,” he explained.

The rains were caused by the remnants of Hurricane Melissa and an active trough over the Cibao region, resulting in temporary flooding in areas such as Los Jardines, Hoya de Caimitos, and 27 de Febrero Avenue.

Despite the magnitude of the phenomenon, the city returned to normal within a few hours thanks to the coordinated efforts of the emergency agencies and municipal brigades.

Historical comparison of rainfall in Santiago:

Date	Millimeters recorded
Historical average	22 mm
October 30, 2025	61.9 mm

This event highlights the need to strengthen urban drainage systems and continue mitigation efforts in areas vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather events.