Tropical Storm Franklin Strikes Hispaniola, Concerns About Flooding and Landslides
On Wednesday, Tropical Storm Franklin made landfall on the island of Hispaniola, which is shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The storm has raised fears of deadly landslides and heavy flooding in both countries.
Meteorologists predict that Franklin will hover over the island for most of Wednesday, bringing with it the potential for up to 10 inches of rain, with a maximum of 15 inches for the central region of Hispaniola.
As of Wednesday morning, the storm was located approximately 105 miles west-southwest of Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. It has maximum winds of 50 mph and is moving northward at 10 mph. Franklin made landfall near Bahahona along the country’s southern coast.
While Franklin has also impacted the southern coast of Texas, officials are particularly concerned about its impact on Haiti, given the country’s susceptibility to catastrophic flooding due to severe erosion.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry urged Haitians to stock up on essentials such as water, food, and medication in anticipation of the storm. Authorities are in the process of checking on the status of over 200,000 people who have been displaced by gang violence, with many living on the streets or in makeshift shelters.
Residents of the Dominican Republic are also bracing for the storm’s impact. Schools, government agencies, and several airports have been closed, and at least 24 out of the country’s 31 provinces are under red alert. Heavy rains have already caused flooding in the capital of Santo Domingo and beyond, prompting residents to prepare for further downpours.
One resident, Doralisa Sánchez, expressed fear about the nearby river, stating that she has had to flee her home three times during previous storms. She hopes to avoid seeking shelter elsewhere, as belongings left behind are often stolen.
Another resident, Albita Achangel, expressed concern about the lack of available refuge if the waters rise. She stated that her patio is already flooded.
Many Dominicans living in flood-prone areas share these worries. Juan Olivo Urbáez, who owns a small business near the Ozama River, highlighted the vulnerability of his community to even small amounts of rainfall.
Tropical storm warnings are in effect for both the southern coast of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, as well as the entire northern coast of the Dominican Republic. The government of the Bahamas has also issued a tropical storm warning for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Franklin is the seventh named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which is expected to have above-normal activity this year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecasted between 14 to 21 named storms, with six to 11 of them potentially becoming hurricanes and two to five potentially becoming major hurricanes.
The impact of Tropical Storm Franklin reminds us of the importance of preparedness in vulnerable areas. As the storm continues to move across Hispaniola, authorities and residents are working to minimize the potential damage from flooding and landslides.
