Devastating flooding across the Caribbean island of Hispaniola has claimed the lives of at least 16 people following several days of intense rainfall, emergency officials reported Wednesday.
The majority of casualties occurred in Haiti’s northern region, where 12 people lost their lives as floodwaters devastated communities in Port-de-Paix, Saint-Louis du Nord and Anse-a-Foleur, according to Le Nouvelliste, a local news publication.
Across the border in the Dominican Republic, which occupies the eastern portion of Hispaniola, four additional deaths were confirmed by Listin Diario news outlet. Among the victims were several people who were carried away by rapidly rising rivers, and a baby girl who died when a wall in her home gave way.
Emergency management officials in the Dominican Republic announced Monday that the severe weather conditions displaced more than 30,000 residents from their homes. Weather forecasters warn that rainfall intensity is expected to increase again over the weekend.
The dangerous conditions have also affected nearby Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, where officials are warning residents to stay off flooded roadways as precipitation is forecast to persist through the afternoon hours.
This latest tragedy follows another deadly incident in northern Haiti just days ago, when 25 people died in a crowd surge at the Laferriere Citadel, a site recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage location. The stampede occurred during an annual gathering when attendees began pushing to enter the venue as rain started falling.
