Storm Update: Hundreds Still in Shelters Throughout Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s National Emergency Commission (CNE) reported Monday that 542 people remain in evacuation shelters across the country after last week’s storms flooded and destroyed homes, and the commission maintained alert levels for vulnerable communities.

The commission also announced that the Puente de Mulas water plant was repaired over the weekend, restoring regular water service to downtown San José, the southern suburb of Desamparados, and Escazú and Santa Ana, west of San José.

Aqueducts remain damaged in Parrita on the central Pacific coast, Acosta, south of San José, and Orotina, just inland from the central Pacific coast. 

Parts of Quepos on the central Pacific coast and Buenos Aires in southern Costa Rica remain isolated because of damaged and closed roads. The CNE said teams are still airlifting food, water and medical assistance to these areas.

The CNE maintained a red alert – the highest of the country’s three alert levels – for Aserrí, a mountain town south of San José, and for Parrita and Acosta. Several communities in the country’s Southern Zone – Buenos Aires, Osa, Golfito, Corredores and Pérez Zeledón – also remain on red alert.  

Last week’s floods and landslides forced more than 4,000 people to flee their homes. While some have returned to their homes, many have moved in with relatives.

Costa Rica’s Mixed Institute for Social Aid (IMAS) is visiting affected homes to determine which structures are uninhabitable and will require funds for reconstruction.