Update on the Storm....

Since we just got back in the country last night, I'm not totally sure about the amount of damage Noel caused, but it has not stopped raining since we've been here and I've heard it's not going to. Anyway, here are a few brief stories on what's been happening from our local dr1.com Website.

Noel continues to affect DR
The Emergency Operations Center (COE) reports that at least 11 people have died as a result of winds and torrential rainfall brought by the large and slow-moving Tropical Storm Noel. Thirteen people are reported missing. COE head General Luis Luna Paulino reports that most Dominican provinces are still under red alert. A red alert warning is still in effect for the National District and the province of Santo Domingo, San Cristobal, Peravia, Azua, Barahona, Pedernales, Independencia, Baoruco and San Juan, while a yellow alert is still in affect for Santiago, Puerto Plata, Espaillat, Salcedo, Duarte (especially for Bajo Yuna), Maria Trinidad Sanchez, La Vega, Monte Plata, Monsenor Nouel, Hato Mayor (Sabana de la Mar), El Seibo (Miches), Sanchez Ramirez, Dajabon, Montecristi, Santiago Rodriguez, La Altagracia and San Pedro de Macoris. Diario Libre estimates that 3,295 people have been displaced from their homes, with about 2,855 staying with other family members and 1,010 finding refuge at government shelters.

Noel takes toll on agriculture
Strong winds and rains of TS Noel have damaged rice, banana, plantain, onion and cassava crops in the DR. Agriculture Minister Salvador Jimenez said that flooding also affected sweet potatoes and other vegetables in several regions. Plantations in Azua, San Juan, Barahona, Monsenor Nouel, Sanchez Ramirez, La Vega and San Jose de Ocoa have been affected by the storm. Listin Diario quotes Jimenez saying that 95% of these crops have been ruined and that the losses will amount to millions.

Noel causes general blackout
Tropical Storm Noel was responsible for two more national blackouts yesterday, the third in as many days. In the early hours of Sunday morning the entire country was plunged into a two-hour blackout. Diario Libre reports that a general blackout was registered yesterday at 12:56am and that a second was registered at 1:45pm. Hoy reports that during the blackouts, 240 of the country's total 540 circuits were out of service, for a total of 40% of the grid.

Schools still closed
The Ministry of Education has announced the suspension of primary and secondary school classes until Wednesday due to the torrential rains. Some public schools are being used to shelter the families that were evacuated from flooded areas. The state university also ordered its regional campuses to shut down until Wednesday.