New Yorkers with relatives in the Dominican Republic are keeping tabs on the island nation through social media, TV reports and calls from home.

Reports from the ground describe widespread issues with flooding and damage from Hurricane Fiona, which thrashed the country after slamming into Puerto Rico.

The last 24 hours have been difficult for loved ones of Carlos Rios.

“They went to the church, the main church over there,” he said. “And some of them they went to the schools. There were a lot of winds of about 150 miles per hour with rain.”

The Dominican Republic’s emergency center says the storm knocked down several trees and utility poles while hundreds of people were evacuated to safer locations.

Rios’ side of his family is in Puerto Plata, the northern part of the island. It was spared the worst of the storm.

His wife’s family in the northeastern town of Samana was not so lucky. Rivers of flood waters could be seen overwhelming the streets. The roof of his wife’s sister’s apartment was blown away.

“Samana was hit very bad,” he said. “My wife’s sister’s house was the second floor and the whole roof flew away… luckily there was nobody over there.”

Rios operates a clothing stand in the Inwood section Manhattan. He’s among the more the 700,000 Dominicans living in the city. Many have been trying to check on the safety of loved ones impacted by the storm.

“Yesterday it was impossible because there was a blackout for about 6 to 8 hours,” Rios said. “But this morning, yes, she got in contact and everybody is alive.”

Elected officials like U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat say they’re keeping an eye on the situation in Puerto Rico and in the Dominican Republic to find out what those affected by the storm need most.

“With regards to Dominican Republic we are speaking to USAID and of course the red Cross in the Dominican government to try to get them help as quickly as possible,” said Espiallat Tuesday.

Rios feels assured that the government will help with the damage but he knows his people will need much more.

“We are lucky because we are safe here, but we are sad about those people because we are a poor country.

Espaillat said he’s working to send federal dollars to aid in recovery efforts.

Gov. Kathy Hochul is sending 100 New York State Troopers to help Puerto Rico with relief efforts and has pledged further support for both Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.