Hurricane Maria Hits Dominican Republic, Killing 2

Two people in the Dominican Republic have died as Hurricane Maria struck the Caribbean country’s northern coast on Thursday night, Acento reports. 

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The victims were two men aged 79 and 32. The first died after part of his home collapsed on him when he was inside. The circumstances of the second victim’s death are still being investigated. 

Flash flooding and overflown rivers continue to persist due to last night’s heavy rains. Nearly 40 percent of the country’s residents have been evacuated from their homes. 

Over 140,000 people are without power and electricity.

The eastern end of the Dominican Republic will receive an additional 10 to 20 centimeters of rain, the National Hurricane Center reported, adding that some areas may receive up to 50 centimeters. The government has provided temporary shelter for residents in Punta Cana, an area heavily affected by the storm.

The storm has since picked up momentum and is currently a Category 4 as it approaches Turks and Caicos, where experts declared a hurricane warning. It is expected to move on to the Bahamas by Sunday.

Wreckage in the Dominican Republic comes after Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico earlier this week, possibly leaving the island without power for months.