The Red Level Alert along the Pacific Coast was issued by the National Emergency Commission due to the indirect effect of tropical wave #46 of the green season.

On Tuesday, the storm was crossing Colombia's Caribean Coast, informed the Weather Institute. 

This tropical wave has a high probability (70% in two days and 90% in seven days) of developing into a tropical cyclone over the central-western Caribbean Sea as it approaches the Honduras' Gulf, noted the institute in its statement.

Experts forecast that the indirect effects of the tropical wave's passage throughout the country will continue to increase rainfall for the rest of the week.

Furthermore, rain has increased as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ICZ) spans from the Central American Pacific Coast and extends into the Caribbean Coast. Known as the doldrums or the calms, the northeast and southeast trade winds converge, resulting in a lack of breeze and increased rainfall.

More rainfall is expected to continue on Wednesday, Nov. 13, and last 48 hours until Friday, Nov. 15. The weather may improve by Saturday, Nov. 16.

Authorities issued a Red Alert throughout the Pacific Coast, comprising the provinces of Guanacaste and Puntarenas. This is the highest risk level of a weather alert, issued when a natural phenomenon threat escalates in scope and intensity. The alert forces the emergency committee to remain vigilant for the probable evacuation of people from the most vulnerable locations and the mobilization of all resources for responding to emergencies.


The Orange Alert continues in almost all of the country. This third-level awareness advises rescue organizations to be on high alert if it is certain that an event or natural phenomenon will potentially affect the alerted areas.


The Yellow Alert was issued over the southern zone of the Caribbean Coast (Limón Province). This second-level alert warns the rescue teams to be ready for a large-scale natural phenomenon that is forming and is almost certain to impact that specific area.


As of Tuesday, no green weather warnings have been issued.

More rainfall is expected from 30 to 80 mm in Guanacaste, in Puntarenas between 40 and 80 mm, in the Central Valley (the provinces of San José, Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago) between 10 to 20 mm and in Limón between 10 and 50 mm.





About 1,300 people were taken to shelters where they were supplied with health care, food, and lodging.

Experts recommend the following preventive measures:

• In the case of downpours, stay away from rivers, lakes and other bodies of water.
  
  
  
• People living in mountain areas should take preventive measures against landslides or material falling from the hills.

• Those under alert should have an emergency evacuation plan in their community, work and home.
  

• Drivers must increase precautions for heavy rain and fog.

• Take precautionary measures in case of thunderstorms, such as taking refuge in a safe place and avoiding direct use of electronic equipment, electrical appliances or electrical cords.

• Stay alert about vulnerable areas to flooding due to sewer saturation or an increase in river flow.

• In case of strong gusts of wind, be on alert for possible falling trees or electrical wires.

• 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.
  

• Stay informed about the alerts issued by authorities.

• Call 911 to report any possible flooding, fallen trees or landslides.
  

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

According to the experts, during November the final rainy days of the current green season will be gradually replaced by sunny days across the country.

The National Institute of Meteorology, or Weather Institute, is the state owned agency that is tasked with providing weather forecasts, warnings of hazardous weather, and other weather-related products to organizations and the public for the purposes of protection, safety, and general information.

The National Emergency Commission (CNE) works with people and emergency professionals to strengthen, sustain, and enhance the county's ability to plan for, defend against, respond to, recover from, and reduce any potential hazards.

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What have you heard about other communities impacted by excessive rain?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com