Tropical Storm Olga Hits Dominican Republic

Flash floods in the Dominican Republic killed at least 19 people, raising Tropical Storm Olga's death toll to near two dozen. About 35,000 residents have had to flee their homes, according to Dominican officials.

The tropical storm, a rarity in December, has since disintegrated into various thunderstorms. Olga is the fifteenth tropical storm of 2007.

Most of the Dominican deaths--at least 17--were drownings that occurred when a river burst its banks, flooding parts of Santiago, the nation's second-largest city. "The river grew suddenly and began to flood houses," said Ernesto Bencosme, a Bella Vista and riverside resident. "Some people could get out, but others were swept away with their homes and all."

The storm system swept away bridges, caused damage to 6,896 houses and widespread power outages and left residents of 76 villages stranded.

Olga comes in the wake of Tropical Storm Noel, which killed at least 89 people in late October. Noel left 42 people missing and caused millions of dollars in damage.

Source: Reuters UK