Most of the town lies below sea level , which some believe makes Nagua susceptible to flooding that could destroy a substantial part of the town . In fact , during the reign of Rafael Trujillo ( 1930 – 1961 ) , the neighboring town of Matanza , also below sea level , was destroyed by flooding caused by a magnitude 8.0 earthquake , in 1946 . Many residents of Matanza chose to resettle in the area that is now Nagua . Matanza is now a small town called '' Matancita '' , just south of the city limits of Nagua
magnitude 8.0 earthquake , in 1946
1946 Dominican Republic earthquake
Nagua