Santo Domingo.- The United States Embassy in the Dominican Republic announced this Tuesday the cancellation of all consular services and appointments scheduled for Wednesday, due to the effects associated with Tropical Storm Melissa.
The diplomatic headquarters reported through its X account (formerly Twitter) that US citizens who require assistance can
Contact the emergency number: 809-567-7775.
In addition, he noted that people with appointments for visas, passports or other consular services will receive an email with instructions to reschedule their appointment, once restore operations normal.
These measures are adopted after the Emergency Operations Center (COE) declare a red alert for the provinces of Santo Domingo, National District, San Cristóbal, Peravia, San José de Ocoa, Azua, San Juan, Barahona and Pedernales, due to the possible impact of tropical cyclone Melissa, which is expected to generate heavy downpours, gusts of wind and flooding in different regions of the country.
The COE also maintains a yellow alert for 11 provinces and a green alert for another four.
Damage and warnings from Melissa effects
Since this Tuesday afternoon, the indirect effects of Storm Melissa began to be felt in several areas of Greater Santo Domingo, severely affecting traffic. There were flash floods, traffic lights and power lines falling, as well as the deterioration of public structures.
Abnormal waves and flooding were also reported in coastal areas and key intersections such as George Washington Avenue, José Contreras, John F. Kennedy with Ortega y Gasset, Monumental Avenue, Charles de Gaulle with Felipe Alfau, various sections of Kennedy Avenue, and Mary Pérez Viuda Street.
Marranzini, in the Miraflores sector.
INDOMET Forecasts and Warnings
The director of the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (INDOMET), Gloria Ceballos, warned that if the phenomenon passes directly over the national territory or over Haiti, the accumulated rain could reach up to 500 millimeters, which would exceed the records of November 2022 and 2023, which were 266 mm and 431 mm, respectively.
However, if the storm follows a trajectory further west, accumulations of up to 300 millimeters are estimated, which still represents a significant volume of precipitation with a high risk potential.
Recommendation
Both the Dominican authorities and the US Embassy They recommend that the population stay attentive to weather updates and follow the guidelines of official organizations such as the COE, INDOMET and the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
