Santo Domingo.- Emergency Operations Center director Juan Méndez Thursday morning said one person is missing (reportedly U.S. citizen Shane Ruiz) and 125 were taken to shelters as strong winds and tidal surges buffet the Dominican Atlantic coast.

He said an alert was issued for the next 24 hours, with beaches closed from Cabo Engaño in the east to Montecristi in the west, including Puerto Plata, Miches, Macao, Lavacama, Sabana de la Mar, Samaná, Las Terrenas, Rio San Juan and Cabrera. He said small craft are advised to stay port.

Residents in coastal areas are cautioned to measures against possible flooding, Mendez said.

The Nagua (northeast) Civil Defense Office said the U.S. citizen Jalen Ruiz, 18, is missing in Rio San Juan’s Playa Grande beach, affected by strong waves, whereas the Higüey (east) Civil Defense said 25 families were evacuated near the village Macao.