Tree falls on a house, kills Dutch citizen

On Wednesday, Red Cross paramedics responded to an emergency call about a huge tree falling over a house of a Dutch citizen, surnamed Kasrten, 30. She was a resident in Cocles in Talamanca Canton, Limón Province.

According to the Red Cross monitor department, the 911 call came in before dawn by the woman's neighbors reporting a big tree falling over the house caused by strong winds.

The paramedics located the body of the victim below the rubbles of her house. It is presumed that the tree fell due to the strong winds that have been registered this week due to the new Cold Surge.

Agents from the Judicial Investigation Organization arrived at the site to confirm the victim's identification. Forensic doctors took the body to the Judicial Morgue in Heredia Province.

On Wednesday, the National Emergency Commission declared three types of Alerts due to strong gusts, caused by the 14th Cold Surge of the year, expected to affect the country until Friday.


The Cold Surges, CSs, have been traversing the country since Tuesday, which is largely controlled by the Surface Air Temperature, SAT, distribution at high latitudes and thermal advection in the lower troposphere.

Orange Alert status for the cantons of Matina, Limón Central and Talamanca, in Limón Province. This alert is established when a high-risk situation can cause an emergency to the people in an immediate area.

Yellow Alert status was enacted for the northern zone of the country (Limón, Guanacaste and Alajuela provinces). This alert 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.

Also, the Green Alert is maintained for the North Pacific Coast (Guanacaste and Puntarenas provinces) and the Central Valley, which is the zone made up of cities in the outskirts of San José such as Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago. This 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.

According to the weather report from the Meteorological Institute, the influence of the Cold Surge over the country will continue until Friday.

The cold front reached the country Tuesday night and generated rainfall in the Caribbean Coast and the northern zone of the country, with rain accumulated maximums between 30-70 millimeters.

Also, strong winds are registered with maximum gusts between 40-75 kilometers per hour in the Central Valley. While in the northern zone reports of up to 90-99 kilometers per hour in the mountain ranges of Guanacaste.

Due to the influence of the cold surge, rains of variable intensity will be maintained in the northern zone and Limón province. Rains can increase in the night with amounts between 15-80 millimeters in the next 24 hours.

Also, very strong wind gusts are reported in the North Pacific Coast and Central Valley,  with maximum speeds between 70 kilometers per hour and 115 kilometers per hour.

A reduction in daytime temperatures between 33 to  39 degrees Fahrenheit was reported.

Specialists provide the following advice due to the strong gusts:

• Be cautious of wind gusts and its possible damage on roofs, electrical wiring, trees and high buildings.

• For air travel, expect increased turbulence, as well as in maritime navigation due to increased rough seas, especially in the North Pacific Coast, the Central Pacific Coast and Caribbean Coast.

• People must avoid making any kind of fire that can easily get out of control due to the strong winds, experts said.

• Stay informed about the alerts issued by the authorities.

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

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What have you heard about emergencies due to strong gusts of wind in your community? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

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