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     - Photo via National Emergency Commission - |
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Published on Monday, July 4, 2022
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
After
Tropical Storm Bonnie made its way
across the country this weekend about
3,500 people returned home after
spending one or two nights at
shelters, according to the National
Emergency Commission. As of
Sunday, authorities had reported that
the main floods were caused due to the
overflow of rivers and accumulation of
water. Major damage was registered to
more than 21 cantons, including
Bagaces and Santa Cruz in Guanacaste
Province, Limón City and Siquirres in
Limón Province, Upala and San Carlos
Alajuela Province, Sarapiqui in
Heredia Province and Turrialba in
Cartago Province. 
Red
Cross, firefighters and officers of
the municipalities' emergency
committees remain in those zones to
continue delivering food and water to
the impacted people. The
Institute of Electricity reported that
at least 12,000 electrical failures
occurred due to the storm's strong
winds. As of Sunday, almost all
damages were fixed and the electrical
service was 99% restored. Several
public institutions such as the
Ministry of Transportation, the
Ministry of Housing, the Electricity
Institute, the Help Institute, the
Water Institute and the Ministry of
Housing announced that they would
launch investigations to determine the
real damage caused by the storm. Representatives
of these institutions will tour the
country to analyze the condition of
roads, houses, bridges, drinking water
pipes and electrical service networks,
among others.
The
Ministry of Transports maintained the
closure of Route
32 due
to a massive landslide with debris
over the Braulio Carrillo highway,
which happened on June 23. This route
is not expected to reopen until
authorities evaluate the damage in
that zone. Authorities
recommend that drivers who must travel
between San José and Limón, use the
alternate Route #3 through Turrialba
Canton, Cartago
Province.
Before Bonnie landed in Costa Rica, the National Emergency Commission opened 300 shelters. More than 84 warehouses were supplied with food, medicine, beds and blankets.
The first line of the emergency operation had about 1,500 people, such as police officers, firefighters, rescue specialists and volunteers from different organizations.
On
Sunday, experts said Tropical Storm
Bonnie was reaching the Mexico Pacific
Coast. They reduced the weather alert
levels in most of the country after
decreased rainfall.
The
cantons of La Cruz and Liberia in
Guanacaste remain under Red
Alert, the
high-risk level of a weather alert. In
these cantons, shelters remain open.
This is established when a natural
phenomenon threat grows in extension
and severity, requiring the evacuation
of people from the most dangerous
areas and the mobilization of all
resources for emergency care.
The rest of Guanacaste, the northern zone of Alajuela, Heredia and Limón remain in Orange Alert. This is the third level of alert risk issued when a certain natural phenomenon is going to cause damage in a specific area. Emergency commissions in every municipality are on the alert to respond to emergencies.
The provinces of Puntarenas, San José, Cartago, plus the southern zone of Alajuela and Heredia are in Yellow Alert. This is the second level of alert risk. This warns rescue forces to be prepared for an increased danger of a natural phenomenon that will affect the population in these regions.
Green Alert was established in the southern zone of the Caribbean coast (Limón Province). This is the lower risk alert level given when authorities initiate to activate the municipalities' emergency commissions. They are supposed to take action due to the possible danger related to a natural phenomenon.
------------ What emergencies have you heard of due to the Bonnie storm in your community? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
  
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