Alert in the Caribbean Coast
due to rainfall increase

The National Emergency Commission maintains the Green Alert on the Caribbean Coast, specifically the Limón Province, due to the intensification of rains in the coast and the northern zone of the country.

This alert is given when it is anticipated that a meteorological phenomenon endangers a specific area in the country. When the alert goes out, authorities activate the community's emergency commissions to take action in preparing for possible danger.


Even though the rains could decrease in the coming hours, the alert state will allow the commission officials to monitor the situation or the risk in the communities.

According to the specialists, as of Tuesday an accumulation of approximately 75 liters of rain per square meter has been registered in some sectors of the Caribbean Coast.

According to the Weather Institute, the pass of high-pressure systems in the northern Caribbean Sea will continue during January. The natural phenomenon raises the atmospheric pressure in Central America, creating strong gusts of wind.

Specialists report wind gusts recorded between 50-80 kilometers per hour in Guanacaste Province and 65 kilometers per hour in San Josè Province.

In the afternoons the pattern of strong winds are expected to continue in the center and northern zones of the country. Wind gusts were recorded between 25 and 65 kilometers per hour in the valleys and between 55 and 75 kilometers per hour in mountainous areas.

Due to the high risk of continuous rains and strong gusts of wind, specialists recommend that in order to avoid accidents, consider the following advice:

• Keep the roof of your house clean.

• Clear a path in the backyard allowing rainwater to move without problems towards the drainage, which helps to avoid damages and leaks in the house.

• Pick up the garbage so that it does not fall on the pipes or drains on the sidewalks.

• Avoid that solvents, oils, acids or corrosive liquids that can fall into the sewer pipes and deteriorate them.

• Organize the cleaning of public areas such as river banks in your community to avoid flooding.

• Report the lack of concrete caps or grids in the pipes to the Aqueduct Institute by calling 2547-6555.

• Stay informed about the alerts issued by the authorities.

• People living in mountain areas should increase precautionary measures against a possible landslide or material falling from the high areas of the hills.

• Have an emergency evacuation plan in the community, work and home.

• Drivers must increase precautions for heavy rain and fog.

• Take precautionary measures in case of electrical storms.

• Be alert in vulnerable areas to flooding due to sewer saturation or increase of river flow.

• In case of a thunderstorm, take refuge in a safe place.

• In case of strong wind gusts, be alert to possible falling trees or electrical cables.

• In the event of a landslide, do not walk on the debris, stay away from affected areas, and do not return home until authorities verify that it is a safe place.

Authorities ask for the people in Costa Rica to call 911 to report any possible flooding, fallen trees or landslides.

A.M. Costa Rica urges readers to share this alert with their contacts.


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