Disaster! Strong winds in Mao knock down houses and trees

Valverde— A strong gust of wind that occurred Saturday afternoon in the municipality of Mao, Valverde province, caused damage to homes and the collapse of several trees, according to meteorological analyst Jean Suriel.

The expert explained that the phenomenon originated from a trough that had been affecting various parts of the country since early morning, bringing rain and lightning. Suriel detailed that the intense gusts ripped roofs off several houses and uprooted trees; a funnel cloud, similar to a tornado, also formed during the event.

Meanwhile, the Emergency Operations Center (COE) maintains a green alert for the provinces of Samaná, Santiago, Puerto Plata, and Monseñor Nouel due to possible flooding of rivers, streams, and ravines, as well as flash floods.

For this Sunday, the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) forecasts a mostly sunny morning, with scattered clouds and no significant rainfall.

However, cloud cover is expected to increase in the afternoon with downpours, thunderstorms, and gusts of wind in parts of La Altagracia, El Seibo, Hato Mayor, Monte Plata, Monseñor Nouel, San José de Ocoa, Santiago, Espaillat, Santiago Rodríguez, Dajabón, San Juan, Barahona, Independencia, Elías Piña, Pedernales, San Cristóbal, and in the northern part of Greater Santo Domingo. These conditions could extend into the early evening.