A tropical disturbance moved across the Caribbean on 17 November 2023, bringing torrential rainfall to Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, where at least 21 people have lost their lives.
Dominican Republic President, Luis Abinader, said the whole of the Government is involved in rescue and relief activities after “extreme, unprecedented in the amount of rain in our country.”
The President said the tropical disturbance saw “the highest rainfall ever to occur in the Dominican Republic ,” which reached up to 431 mm in some areas of the National District, which includes the capital Santo Domingo. This amount is much higher than the 266 mm that fell on 04 November, 2022, Abinader said.
On 19 November, President Abinader declared three days of official mourning for the fatalities caused by the floods.
Record Rainfall in Dominican Republic
According to figures provided by Oficina Nacional de Meteorologia (ONAMET) in a 24-hour period to 17 November 2023, Villa Altagracia recorded 284.5 mm, Polo in Barahona saw 240.5 mm (Barahona) and San José de Ocoa recorded 221.5 mm.
In the following 24-hour period, the weather station at Arroyo Hondo Viejo in the National District recorded a record 431 mm. Significant totals were also recorded in the Renacimiento neighbourhood in Santo Domingo (426 mm) and in Paraiso in Barahona Province (394.7 mm) during the same period.
Damage, Displacements and Fatalities
As of 19 November 2023, the Emergency Operations Center (COE) in the Dominican Republic reported floods had impacted areas of the National District, and the provinces of San José de Ocoa, Duarte, El Seibo, La Altagracia, San Cristobal and San Pedro De Macoris.
Severe weather has also affected areas of neighbouring Haiti. The Associated Press reported 2 people died after being swept away by floods in the Grand’Anse region. As of early 20 November, no further updates were available from official sources.
In the Dominican Republic, floods, heavy rain and landslides have damaged 5 bridges and 6 roads. At least 45 communities have been left isolated. Emergency teams have been working across affected areas and managed to rescue 2,541 people.
A total of 13,220 moved from their homes to safe areas, including 75 people who were staying in 3 emergency shelters provided by the government. Damage to power infrastructure has left thousands without electricity. Damage to water infrastructure has interrupted drinking water supply for about 2 million people, COE said.
The Health Ministry reported a total of 21 fatalities as a result of the severe weather, as of 19 November. At least 9 people died when a retaining wall along a highway in Santo Domingo collapsed, crushing several vehicles. COE reported other fatalities in the La Zurza and Arroyo Hondo districts of the city. One person died and 3 survived after flooding from the Arroyo Santa swept away vehicles in Higüey Debido in La Altagracia.
COE reported 2,644 houses have been damaged, including 6 severely. A further 17 houses have been destroyed.
Earlier this month flash flooding along the Fula River in Bonao, Monseñor Nouel Province, caused damage and fatalities on 07 November 2023. The flooding occurred in a popular spa recreation area where 12 people were bathing at the time of the floods. Five people died in the event and 7 people were rescued. Around the same time, flooding occurred in areas around Punta Cana in La Altagracia Province, where at least 32 houses were damaged and 16 people displaced.
At least 2 people died in the country in August this year following the passage of storm Franklin.
Floods and Landslides in Jamaica
The tropical disturbance also brought torrential rain, flooding and landslides to parts of Jamaica. The weather station at Norman Manley International Airport, Port Royal, Kingston, Jamaica recorded 315.4 mm of rain in 48 hours to 18 November 2023.
Local media reported 24 people were rescued from flooded areas of Saint Thomas by the Jamaican Defense Force.
Acting Director General, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson, said assessments were ongoing.
“So far, we have roughly nine parishes with predominant damage being in St. Thomas, Clarendon, Kingston and St. Andrew and we have received information as well for St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Trelawny and Portland.
“We continue to generate the reports and we continue to ensure that the information is passed on to all the agencies that are a part of the National Disaster Risk Management set up, so that the appropriate decisions can be made in terms of what we do going forward,” he said.
