The television program El Espectador talked to meteorologist Jonh Morales, who explained that rainfall is the main concern.

In fact, while the natural phenomenon is still 420 kilometers south of the capital, flash floods, 41 percent of the roads congested in Santo Domingo and downed power poles are already being reported.

Morales indicated that the disorganization of Franklin makes it more difficult to have a safe forecast of where it will enter the country.

According to the 08:00 local time forecast, the tropical storm presents winds of 85 kilometers per hour and is moving at a rate of 5 kilometers per hour.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the entire southern coast of the Dominican Republic from the Haitian border eastward to Saona Island.

The system should begin to turn northward today, and a general northward motion is expected tomorrow, Wednesday.

According to the forecast track, the center of Franklin should reach the south coast of Hispaniola, shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti, on Wednesday night, cross the island and move off the northern coast on Thursday.

Tropical storm force winds extend up to 110 kilometers from the center.

The government made several schools and other facilities available to the population to be used as shelters.

jrr/jav/mgt/mpv