Heavy rains kill a child in the Dominican Republic, damage more than 1,000 homes

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Heavy rains in the Dominican Republic killed a toddler, damaged more than 1,000 homes and caused power and water outages on Wednesday, forcing officials to suspend classes at some public and private schools.

Forecasters noted that 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rain fell in some areas in less than 24 hours, forcing crews to evacuate more than 5,000 people.

"There is no storm drainage system that can withstand that anywhere in the world,” President Luis Abinader said.

A press official with the Civil Defense agency, Jayssi Capellán, told The Associated Press that a nearly 2-year-old girl died after a wall at her home collapsed in the capital of Santo Domingo.

The government ordered nonessential employees to work remotely as authorities warned of flooding and possible landslides, with more than a dozen provinces under alert, including Santo Domingo, which is the hardest hit area.

Listín Diario, a local newspaper, reported that more than 20 communities were cut off in the province of San José de Ocoa, located just northwest of Santo Domingo, after a river overflowed its banks.

Crews rescued seven people from rising floodwaters, including a man who became trapped in a sewer in the capital, according to the Civil Defense agency.

The heavy rains began on Monday and are expected to dwindle by Wednesday night.