No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeBig wavesBig waves cause flooding along Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast

Big waves cause flooding along Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast

Strong waves forecast for this weekend on both coasts of Costa Rica already are affecting areas in the Pacific province of Puntarenas.

National Coast Guard officers in the town of Caldera on Friday morning evacuated residents of the coastal community La Angostura, where several homes were flooded by high waves that began pounding the area at 7 a.m. Coast Guard Director Martín Arias reported that 50 of the community’s 200 residents were evacuated to a nearby shelter.

“Municipal and National Emergency Commission officials ordered the evacuation of all affected residents, but reports issued at noon indicate that several have returned to their homes,” Arias said.

The road that runs parallel to Caldera beach also was flooded, but there are no reports of homes being damaged in that area.

Arias issued a warning to travelers, as many families will visit Pacific beaches over the weekend to enjoy mid-year vacations.

He also warned drivers traveling at night along the Caldera road that strong waves could affect the area. The Caldera road is one of the main routes connecting coastal communities in Puntarenas.

Experts from the University of Costa Rica’s Ocean Science and Limnology Research Center (CIMAR) earlier this week warned residents and beachgoers that powerful waves will hit Costa Rican shores on both coasts beginning Friday.

CIMAR’s Ocean Information Director Omar Lizano said the phenomenon was caused by strong currents prompted by a storm that has intensified in Antarctica.

Caribbean beaches also might experience strong waves over the weekend prompted by a low-pressure system that will cause choppy seas.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Reports Surge in Human Trafficking Cases

The General Directorate of Immigration (DGME) has reported 36 confirmed victims of human trafficking for commercial or sexual purposes in Costa Rica during the...

Algal Bloom Detected in Costa Rica’s Gulf of Nicoya

A noticeable change in watercolor has been reported across several zones of the Gulf of Nicoya and coastal areas adjacent to the Nicoya Peninsula....

Rural Costa Rica Adopts Ecosystem-Based Approach to Climate Resilience

As climate change intensifies, rural communities across Costa Rica are taking concrete steps to reduce risks and adapt to increasing climate pressures. With support...

Costa Rica Overturns Management Plan for Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge

Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court has ruled that the General Management Plan for the Gandoca-Manzanillo Mixed Wildlife Refuge is unconstitutional. The decision annuls both the...

Costa Rica’s Olympic Hero Claudia Poll Alleges Abuse by Famed Swim Coach

Claudia Poll, Costa Rica's only Olympic gold medalist, and two other former swimmers from the country, alleged on Monday that they suffered psychological, physical,...

Panama Removed from EU High-Risk List, but Tax Haven Status Remains

The film The Laundromat, starring Meryl Streep, damaged Panama's reputation by drawing inspiration from a real-life story: the global scandal that erupted a decade...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica