Heavy rains in northern Costa Rica caused flooding that have forced more than 40 people to seek refuge in shelters, according to Casa Presidencial.
Monday, the National Emergency Commission (CNE) issued a yellow alert for the canton of Upala, Alajuela, and a green alert in the North, Central and South Pacific, as well as in San Carlos, Guatuso and Los Chiles.
A CNE green alert is simply informative, while a yellow alert involves the mobilization of personnel to the affected region. A red alert can only be issued in conjunction with the President and includes mass evacuations.
As of Monday afternoon, 42 people were in shelters, and four aqueducts and three bridges had been affected by flooding in northern Costa Rica. At least 325 houses experienced some level of flooding, according to Juan Bosco Acevedo, the Mayor of Upala.
Vice President Epsy Campbell is Upala in to observe the damage and help coordinate the response.
“We have taken charge of the situation since early [Monday] morning and now, with the visit of the Vice President, we are more hopeful of having the support of the Executive Branch at the highest level,” Acevedo said.
Vice President Campbell encouraged “inter-institutional efforts” to help communities recover from flooding.
The National Meteorological Institute (IMN) said it expects heavy rains to continue Tuesday in Costa Rica’s north and on its Caribbean coast.
