Alert level lowers due to a reduction in rains

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The authorities reported about the most affected area being in the southern zone of the country where more than 9 places were flooded.
- National Emergency Commission photo -

Published Thursday, November 19, 2020

Alert level lowers due to
a reduction in rains

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

As better weather conditions are expected for the rest of the week, the National Emergency Commission decreased the alerts set due to the indirect effect of Hurricane Iota.

The authorities have established a Yellow Alert status in almost the entire country. The alert status serves as an announcement for the rescue forces to prepare for an increased danger of a natural phenomenon that will affect the population in a specific region.

The Green Alert was maintained on the Caribbean Coast (Limón Province). This alert is given when it is anticipated that a meteorological phenomenon endangers a specific area in the country. The authorities activate the community's emergency commissions to take action due to the danger related to the alert.

Regarding the side effects of hurricane Iota, the authorities reported the fitting out of two new shelters in the last hours.

The first was installed in Buenos Aires Canton, Puntarenas Province, for the care of 42 people, as a preventive measure against possible floods. The second shelter was set up in Leon Cortes Canton, in the southern zone of San José, where 12 people were placed due to their homes being affected by a landslide.

According to the authorities, there are still nine shelters that were installed last week to assist people affected by the passage of Hurricane Eta. These places were opened in Guanacaste Province and the southern zone of San José Province, where 144 people are currently being attended.

On Wednesday, the authorities reported about the most affected area being in the southern zone of the country where more than 9 places were flooded. In the central area of the Pacific Coast, more than 3 floods were reported. Two more floods were reported in Guanacaste Province and one in San José Province.

For its part, the Ministry of Transportation, through the National Highway Council, Conavi, reported damage to roads due to landslides that were left due to the accumulation of rains.

Among the main roads with damage are Route 2, Interamericana Sur, between San José and the southern zone, Route 239 in Puriscal Canton, in Perez Zeledon Canton, and Route 228 in the area known as El Tejar-Copalchi, these two also in the southern zone of the country.

The route between cantons of Cañas and Limonal in Guanacaste was also reported with damage.

Due to the high risk of continuous rains, specialists stress the following advice to avoid accidents, damage to structures and emergencies during the green season:

• Keep the roof of your house clean.

• Clear a path in the backyard allowing rainwater to move without problems toward 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 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.

Authorities call on the public to take the following precautionary measures:

• 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 tree branches 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 to call 911 to report any possible flooding, fallen trees or landslides in the country.

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

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What emergencies have you heard of due to the tropical storm in your community? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com