It looks like a tropical storm could bring Costa Rica more heavy rains in the next couple of days, and the National Emergency Commission (CNE) is maintaining a green, preventive alert for the Central Valley, southern Pacific coast and southern Caribbean, CNE spokesman Reinaldo Carballo told The Tico Times yesterday.
The commission placed the southern San José district of Desamparados under a yellow alert, and a red alert remains in place in Alajuelita, south of the capital, which was hit by a tornado last week. The Central Valley cantons of Belén, Flores, and Alajuela are also under a red alert because of potential flooding, Carballo said.
“We're asking everyone in these areas to remain vigilant of river levels as a tropical storm approaches from Venezuela within the next two days,” he said.
An estimated 3,000 homes were damaged by the tornado in Alajuelita. Around the Central Valley, 250 homes have been “severely damaged” by flooding and several bridges have been washed out since heavy rains rolled in last week, according to a statement from the CNE.
Some help arrived for residents of Alajuelita yesterday when CNE and Red Cross officials brought sheets of zinc, nails and other materials costing about ¢60 million ($115,384) to repair damaged homes, the statement said. The Mixed Institute of Social Aid (IMAS) is also coordinating with the commission to make emergency funds available to families affected.
“This material will allow me to cover my house and avoid water entering during the night. I have three small children who got wet last night,” said Alajuelita resident José Saldaña. |
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