Hurricane Irene affects Dominican Republic

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  A resident rides a horse through a flooded neighborhood after the passing of Hurricane Irene in Nagua on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Tuesday Aug. 23, 2011. Hundreds were displaced by flooding in the Dominican Republic, forced to take refuge in churches, schools or relatives' homes. Electricity also was cut in some areas. Roberto Guzman / ASSOCIATED PRESS

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  A boy uses a bicycle on a flooded street in Santo Domingo on August 22, 2011, while the country waits for the imminent arrival of Hurricane Irene in the northern coast. Hurricane Irene is moving towards the island of Hispaniola putting the Dominican Republic on high alert, as the newly-strengthened Hurricane bore down on the Caribbean country, bringing gale-force winds and pounding rain. ERIKA SANTELICES / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

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  A woman watches from a beach in Santo Domingo on August 22, 2011, while the country waits for the imminent arrival of Hurricane Irene in the northern coast. Hurricane Irene is moving towards the island of Hispaniola putting the Dominican Republic on high alert, as the newly-strengthened Hurricane bore down on the Caribbean country, bringing gale-force winds and pounding rain. ERIKA SANTELICES / AFP/GETTY IMAGES