A new batch of bad weather hit the Pacific coast this weekend, bringing a second round of flooding to communities including Filadelfia, in the northwestern Guanacaste province, and the central Pacific canton of Parrita.

The Tempisque River overflowed early Saturday morning, washing out the La Guinea and Corralillos sectors of Filadelfia and forcing about 100 people to evacuate their homes, according to a statement from the National Emergency Commission (CNE).

The Parrita River also reached its limit, flooding the community of Sitradique de Parrita. In the Caribbean-slope town of Siquirres, strong rains drove 30 people to seek shelter.

The Guanacaste areas of Nosara, Hojancha, Santa Cruz and La Cruz also experienced flooding. About 1,500 people are staying in 21 shelters in this province, and shelters remain open in other areas that have been hit with heavy rains for the past couple of weeks including Santa Ana, west of San José; Cartago, east of San José; the coffee town of Atenas; and Acosta, south of San José.

The CNE maintains a red alert for the canton of Parrita and the Guanacaste cantons of Carrillo, Hojancha, La Cruz, Liberia, Nandayure, Nicoya and Santa Cruz. The rest of the country is under a yellow alert except for the Caribbean, where the commission has issued a green, preventive alert.

Help is needed for the thousands who have lost their homes in recent floods. Monetary donations can be made to the CNE through the following bank accounts: Banco de Costa Rica number 118281-1 (dollars) and 91100-3 (colones) or Banco Nacional account number 911-8 (colones).

Wal-Mart Costa Rica is also collecting non-perishable foods and personal hygiene items at its Costa Rican stores -- Más x Menos, Palí, Hipermás and MaxiBodega -- and will use its trucks to distribute these items to communities affected.

-Tico Times