At least 24 people have died in floods in the Dominican Republic

(CNN Spanish) — At least 24 people have died in the Dominican Republic due to heavy rains and flooding, the country’s Center for Emergency Operations (COE) confirmed to CNN on Monday morning.

Among the dead were 16 Dominicans, four Americans and four Haitians, according to a document released by Dominican authorities.

The document includes only deceased persons whose identity has been verified by the authorities. It is feared that this number will increase by the hour.

The strong storm affected more than 3,500 homes, displacing more than 17,800 people, 879 of whom are in shelters.

The Dominican government has declared three days of national mourning due to the incident.

Several provinces in the Dominican Republic are on red alert and others are on yellow due to heavy rain since Friday. Classes across the country have been suspended and will resume on Wednesday.

The National Meteorological Office (ONAMET) continues to monitor the rains that fell over the weekend on the island, and according to President Luis Abinador, 431 millimeters of rain fell in some areas and added that they were very important rains. has been recorded. have happened in history.

President Abinader held a meeting at the National Palace with the emergency agency to assess the situation and take relief measures.

Condoling the loss of lives due to the heavy rains, the President expressed his solidarity with the affected families and offered unconditional support to “all those affected by this emergency”.

The President also issued two decrees of emergency. Due to the effects of the atmospheric phenomenon currently affecting the national territory, a strike is instituted in the national territory till the morning of Monday, November 20, the bulletin added.

Also, in another order, it declared as an emergency the procurement and contracts of goods and services used in humanitarian assistance, rescue, construction and reconstruction work.

Jessica Hasban contributed to this report.