First response organizations are preparing to deal with incidents caused by the passage of Tropical Storm Bonnie over the country today.

According to the National Emergency Commission, Tropical Storm #13 of the green station is expected to become Tropical Storm Bonnie before hitting the country today at noon. This will be the first storm to strike Central America this year.

Given the evolution of this phenomenon, authorities raised a Red Alert in the cantons of Liberia and La Cruz in Guanacaste. In Los Chiles, Guatuso, Upala, San Carlos and Río Cuarto in Alajuela. Also in Sarapiquí, Guácimo, Pococí, Siquirres and Matina in Limón Province. 

That is the highest risk level of a weather alert. 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.
 
Orange Alert continues in the provinces of San José, Cartago and Puntarenas.

Also, the rest of the cantons of the provinces of Guanacaste, Alajuela and Heredia are not included in the Red 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 must get ready to respond to emergencies.

While the Yellow Alert remains in the cantons of Limón Province that were not included in the red 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 a specific region.

According to the Meteorological Institute, Tropical Storm Bonnie is forecast to hit Costa Rica first on the northern Caribbean Coast and then head west over to Guanacaste.

Authorities forecast downpours of up to 400 mm and winds of up to 100 km/h, which, added to the high saturation of the soil, would generate floods in these areas.

Specialists also predict that the effects of Bonnie could affect both coasts.

Bonnie's time over the country is expected to take at least 24 hours, from noon Friday to noon Saturday.

The commission activated all the municipal emergency committees that will be in charge of the 300 shelters that could be set up in the country.

In addition, more than 84 warehouses were supplied with food, medicine, beds and blankets.

On Wednesday night, the rescue forces began with the evacuation of 950 people who live in the more risky areas in the canton of Sarapiquí, Heredia. Of these, more than 600 people were evacuated last night. This is one of the areas that could be flooded by the overflow of the Sarapiquí and San Juan rivers.
 
The communities that began the evacuation were Delta Colorado, Delta Costa Rica, San Antonio, Cureñita, Remolino, Barbudo, Tambor, Copalchi, Boca la Ceiba, Fátima, Caño Las Marías, Boca Trinidad.

In other cantons such as Guatuso, Los Chiles, Upala and San Carlos, they could start the evacuation of people in the next few hours.

The commission enabled shelters in seven schools, three community halls and two churches. In these places, medical services, food and lodging will be provided to the evacuees.

Over 4,500 people, such as police officers, firefighters, rescue specialists and paramedics are in the first line of the emergency operation. People interested in volunteering, should contact the Emergency Commission Committee in their municipalities.

In addition, the Ministry of Public Education suspended the school year throughout the country today to avoid putting the lives of students, teachers and other staff working in schools at risk.

Also, the Ministry of Transports maintained the closure of Route 32 due to a massive landslide with debris over the Braulio Carrillo highway last week.

The main affected zone is over the kilometer 28, between the provinces of San José and Limón. The landslide size is about 5,000 m3 of earth, stones and fallen trees, authorities estimated.

 

Authorities recommend drivers who must travel between San José and Limón, go through the alternate Route #3 in Turrialba Canton, Cartago Province.

The Route #32  is not expected to reopen this week, the ministry said

Authorities call on the public to take the following precautionary measures:

• Stay informed about the alerts issued by the authorities.

• People living in mountain areas should increase precautionary measures against a possible landslide or material falling from the hills.

• Have an emergency evacuation plan in the community, work and home.

• Drivers must increase precautions for heavy rain and fog.

• Take precautionary measures in case of thunderstorms, such as taking refuge in a safe place and avoiding the direct use of any electronic equipment, electrical appliances or electrical cords.

• Be alert in vulnerable areas to flooding due to sewer saturation or an increase in river flow.
  

• In the case of persisted downpours stay away from rivers, lakes and other bodies of water.

• In case of strong gusts of wind, be alert to possible falling trees or electrical wires.

• In the event of a landslide, do not walk on the debris, stay away from affected areas and do not return home until authorities verify that it is a safe place.

Authorities said to call 911 to report any emergency due to flooding, landslides, fallen trees or electrical wires.

The weather may improve on Sunday after the main effects of the expected Hurricane Bonnie have crossed over the country.

A.M. Costa Rica urges readers to share this alert in their communities.

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What emergencies have you heard of due to the thunderstorms in your community?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com