- Title: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Tropical Storm Isaac batters Dominican Republic.
- Date: 25th August 2012
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LOCAL RESIDENT, FELICITA FELIZ, SAYING: "The cyclone (Tropical Storm Isaac) damaged my home, drenched the best, wet everything, the television. It has damaged everything." DAMAGED HOME VARIOUS OF LOCALS IN STREET DAMAGED HOMES LOCAL STREETS DAMAGED ELECTRICAL POLE MEN MOVING ELECTRICAL POLE
- Embargoed: 9th September 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Dominican Republic
- City:
- Country: Dominican Republic
- Topics: Disasters,Environment
- Reuters ID: LVA6GU85RQLVYJQA2GZQTZDN2GVM
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: Residents of the Dominican Republic assess damage from Tropical Storm Isaac with scores of families left homeless after fierce winds and torrential rains lash coastal communities.
The aftermath of fierce winds and heavy rains that accompanied Tropical Storm Isaac were apparent Saturday (August 25) as residents in the small town of Jaquimeyes in the Dominican Republic assessed damage to homes as Isaac continues its destructive path across the Caribbean.
Families are facing a massive clean-up operation after Isaac's estimated 65-miles-per-hour (100-km-per hour) winds and heavy rainfall of up to 12 inches (30.5cm) lashed the tiny coastal community, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Local resident Oscar Lopez told Reuters the force of the storm had taken many by surprise.
"The wind came in peacefully and then suddenly it tore up the ground. Then trees but not with the strength that it did this," he said.
According to local media, nearly 8,000 people were left displaced by Isaac as it churned its way through the Dominican Republic.
With a hurricane alert still in force across the Caribbean country, authorities at the Emergency Operations Centre said dozens of towns have been cut-off by the storm with an estimated 1,000 people left without shelter.
"The cyclone (Tropical Storm Isaac) damaged my home, drenched the best, wet everything, the television. It has damaged everything," said elderly resident, Felicita Feliz.
A fierce Tropical Storm Isaac has moved across the border to neighbouring Haiti, dumping torrential rain over the impoverished earthquake-ravaged nation.
According to the National Hurricane Centre, Tropical Storm Isaac's centre was 40 miles (64 km) east of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, at midday on Saturday (August 25). It was forecast to sweep over eastern Cuba and strengthen into a hurricane before hitting the Florida Keys early on Monday (August 27).
Authorities are keeping a close eye on Isaac which may strike Tampa where the Republican national convention will take place. But so far, at least, there are no plans to postpone the four-day convention where former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will receive the Republican presidential nomination.
Florida has not been hit by a major hurricane since 2005. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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