Severe Flooding in Dominican Republic Leads to State of Emergency
Intense rainfall and prolonged atmospheric instability, stemming from a trough system, have severely impacted the Dominican Republic since April 7, 2026. The National Emergency Operations Centre (COE) placed 28 provinces under alert levels due to the threat of urban and flash flooding, with four provinces under red alert, 17 under yellow alert, and seven under green alert, as reported in a situation update on April 16, 2026.
The situation escalated dramatically on April 12, resulting in at least ten fatalities. In response, the Dominican government issued Decree No. 234-26, declaring a State of Emergency in the provinces of Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Espaillat, Valverde, Santiago, and the National District. This declaration is intended to enhance response efforts in the most affected regions.
The combination of heavy rainfall, saturated soil conditions, and widespread flooding led to significant disruptions. According to the COE Situation Report No. 3, updated on April 16, over 28 communities are currently cut off, five bridges have suffered structural damage, and approximately 30,500 individuals have been evacuated, either to collective centers or to reside with relatives and friends.
Notably, the municipality of Montellano in Puerto Plata province bore the brunt of the disaster, where overflow from the Camú River affected 3,424 households. This flooding led to the temporary closure of the local municipal hospital, limiting access to health services for around 20,753 people.
The affected regions were already experiencing vulnerabilities from previous hydrometeorological events, which hampered local recovery efforts and reduced community resilience to this latest flooding. This has further complicated the emergency response and recovery process for impacted residents.
Government officials and local authorities continue to assess the damage and coordinate relief efforts as they navigate the complexities of this natural disaster.
