Tropical storm Irene is forecast to strike the Dominican Republic as a hurricane at about 16:00 GMT on 22 August. Data supplied by the US National Hurricane Center suggest that the point of landfall will benear 17.5 N,69.2 W. Irene is expected to bring 1-minute maximum sustained winds to the region of around120 km/h (74 mph). Wind gusts in the area maybe considerably higher.
According to the Saffir-Simpson damage scale the potential property damage and flooding from a storm of Irene's strength (category 1)at landfall includes:
- Storm surge generally 1.2-1.5 metres (4-5 feet) above normal.
- No real damage to building structures.
- Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees.
- Some damage to poorly constructed signs.
- Some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage.
There is also the potential for flooding further inland due to heavy rain.
The information above is provided for guidance only and should not be used to make life or death decisions or decisions relating to property. Anyone in the region who is concerned for their personal safety or property should contact their official national weather agency or warning centre for advice.
This alert is provided by TropicalStorm Risk (TSR) which is sponsored by Benfield, Royal & SunAlliance, Crawford & Company and University College London (UCL). TSR acknowledges the support of the UK Met Office.
Hurricane Irene killed 4 in Dominican Republic
SANTO DOMINGO, Aug. 24 ( Xinhua) -- Hurricane Irene have killed at least four people and left an unknown number of others missing in the Dominican Republic, said the authorities on Wednesday.
Irene, the first major hurricane of the season in the Caribbean, killed three people in San Cristobal, about 30 km southeast of the capital Santo Domingo. The fourth person died in El Seibo, 135 km east of the capital.
Around 31,900 people have been evacuated to safer places.
Several villages were left isolated and rescue teams have been sent there.
"Irene's worst effects will continue during the next 24 to 36 hours, due to the heavy rains," Juan Mendez Garcia, director of the Emergency Operations Center, told a press conference.
By Wednesday noon 2,292 houses have been damaged in 85 villages which had been cut off from regular transport and communication networks, he said.
Mendez added that 24 provinces will maintain a red alert for at least another 24 hours while the rest of the country will hold the yellow alert.
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