Spanish
Gaspar Hernández.- With water still stagnant in patios and living rooms, dozens of families were removing layers of mud this Wednesday inside what until hours ago were their homes, after the intense rains left at least five homes destroyed and about 285 affected, according to preliminary reports.
The affected people report that they lost practically everything: beds, appliances, clothes, documents, and household items were buried under the mud. "When the water went down, nothing was clean; we are trying to save what little appears among the mud," said a resident while digging with an improvised shovel.
Flooding hit the El Caimán, El Badén sectors and other vulnerable areas of the municipality the hardest, where the overflow of streams and the rapid rise in water levels surprised families in the early hours of the morning.
According to the data offered so far, five homes completely collapsed due to water pressure and ground instability, while hundreds were flooded, leaving numerous people temporarily displaced in the homes of relatives and neighbors.
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Amidst the sadness and uncertainty, those affected are crying out for urgent assistance. They are requesting food, mattresses, clothing, hygiene products, and construction materials to allow them to rehabilitate their homes, many of which remain underwater and covered in sediment.
"We need help to start over. We can't go back like this," said another community member, pointing to the walls marked by the level reached by the flood.
Local authorities are conducting surveys to determine the actual extent of the damage, while relief teams continue to assess the most affected areas of this part of Espaillat province. Meanwhile, the affected families face the challenge of rebuilding their lives amidst the mud and loss.
