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CWS situation report: Tropical storm Olga

December 12, 2007

Tropical Storm Olga, a rare December cyclone left 144,000 families in Puerto Rico without potable water and approximately 100,000 without electricity. The storm is moving slowly through the Caribbean, bringing high winds and rain to parts of the Dominican Republic damaged in Tropical Storm Noel six weeks ago.

On Puerto Rico, many communities on the north and the east of the island are flooded. Some of the areas are Naguabo, Fajardo Rio Grande, Bayamon, Toa Alta, Vega Baja , Barceloneta, Manati, Arecibo, Ciales and others. At this point, officials in the Puerto Rican government have not requested a federal disaster declaration. The Associated Press reports Dominican officials evacuated 22 communities in advance of the storm.

CWS RESPONSE

Emergency Response Specialist Heriberto Martinez is based in Puerto Rico and is closely monitoring the situation as Tropical Storm Olga is expected to cause damage in more Caribbean communities even as it begins to weaken. CWS is ready to respond to any denominational or partner requests for material assistance.

Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;

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