The government said Costa Rica is in a “state of emergency” after last week´s rain and flooding damaged homes and businesses and caused millions of dollars in damage to infrastructure.
Presidency Minister Rodrigo Arias explained that the decree frees up funds needed to begin rebuilding.
“The declaration, the minister said, will permit the state to be able to access economic resources in an expedited way, which will help repair streets and roads among other works,” said a ministry press release.
The emergency covers the following regions:
In the Puntarenas province: cantons of Aguirre, Buenos Aires, Corredores, Coto Brus, Esparza, Garabito, Golfito, Montes de Oro, Osa Parrita and Puntarenas.
In the Cartago province: cantons of La Unión, Cartago, El Guarco, Oreamuno, Alvarado, Jiménez, Paraíso and Turrialba.
In the Alajuela province: cantons of Alajuela, Alfaro, Atenas, Grecia, Guatuso, Los Chiles, Naranjo, Orotina, Palmares, Poás, Ruiz, San Carlos, San Mateo, San Ramón, Upala and Valverde Vega.
In the San José province: Acosta, Alajuelita, Aserrí, Tarrazú, Desamparados, Dota, Escazú, León Cortés, Mora, Pérez Zeledón, Puriscal, Santa Ana and Turrubares.
The emergency also includes Siquirres in the Limón province and all the cantons of Guanacaste.
