Santo Domingo.- The country is on maximum alert for Hurricane Irene, which is expected to hit the eastern/north eastern shores of the Dominican Republic around midday.

The storm, which lashed the neighboring island of Puerto Rico last night, was upgraded to a category 1 hurricane overnight but its course has turned north-northwestwards. Irene thus becomes the first hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic season, according to the United States National Hurricane Center.

Although the eastern coast and the Samaná peninsula are likely to feel strong effects in the shape of wind gusts and heavy rainfall, the current projection is for the storm to continue on a north-northwest course.

In response, the Ministry of Education has announced that all schools will be closed today Monday. Many flights have been canceled and the military confined to barracks at the service of the emergency services.

The Emergency Operations Center (COE) declared a red alert for the provinces of La Altagracia, La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís, Santo Domingo, San Cristóbal, Peravia, San José de Ocoa, Azua, El Seibo, Hato Mayor, Barahona, Pedernales, San Juan de la Maguana, Independencia, Bahoruco, Monte Cristi, Puerto Plata, Espaillat, María Trinidad Sánchez, Samaná, Duarte and the National District. Monte Plata, Sánchez Ramírez, Monseñor Noel, La Vega, Santiago, Elías Piña, Dajabón, Valverde, Hermanas Mirabal and Santiago Rodríguez are under yellow alert.