Tropical Storm Tomas causes heavy flooding in Costa Rica
Roads closed due to Landslides

The downpours caused damages in 34 of the country’s 81 cantons and forced at least 1,400 people to evacuate their homes. The rains are the result of Tropical storm Tomás, which, on Thursday, was centered roughly 150 miles southeast of Jamaica and was moving toward the north-northwest.

The IMN forecasts that the storm will cause moderate to strong rains across the country through Friday.

The hospital in Quepos, on the central Pacific coast, is inaccessible by land due to flooding and landslides and is experiencing problems with its water supply. On Thursday, officials from the Costa Rican Social Security System (Caja) sent personnel to Quepos to assist with medical needs.

The National Water and Sewer Institute (AyA) said that the landslides and torrents have damaged tubing and supply systems across the country, leaving nearly 700,000 people without clean drinking water. Crews from AyA are working to reestablish water service in affected communities.

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As of 3 p.m. Friday, the following routes were closed:

–Route 34 on the Costanera Highway from Puntarenas to Parrita, on the central Pacific coast.
–The San José-Caldera Highway between the western Central Valley town of Atenas to Orotina, just inland from the central Pacific coast.
–The southern Inter-American Highway in Pérez Zeledón, along a stretch known as Weber.
–National Route 160 from Sámara to Nosara in the northwestern province of Guanacaste.
–Route 616 between Quepos and Londres on the central Pacific coast.
–Route 243 between San Isidro de El General and Dominical in the Southern Zone.
–Route 239 between Puriscal, a mountain town southwest of San José, and Parrita.
–Routes 226, 303, 315 and 313 in the Los Santos region, south of San José.

For the latest updates on road conditions, visit here.

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How to Help Costa Rica after the recent Flooding

The Red Cross of Costa Rica is accepting donations at Banco Nacional (Account numbers: 100-100-6 for colones and 6866-7 for dollars) and Banco de Costa Rica (176- 003-3 for colones y 204-6 for dollars.)

Emergency trucks are collecting donations in Escazú: rice, beans, canned food, mattresses, sheets and blankets and hygiene products for victims of the landslides. Neighbors can drop off donations at the Juan XXIII School in Escazú.

Escazú: Due to the emergency that has occurred in Escazú, the cantón is looking for donations. At present the most urgent are cleaning supplies (bleach, rags, powdered soap, etc..) To help families immediately. The municipality also welcomes all clothing, canned goods, kitchen utensils, bedding, towels etc. that we can help. Edificio Anexo de la Municipalidad. For more info on how to help call: 2288-2315

Garabito: Due the rains that have been affecting Garabito the last days and specially last night, Daystar Properties, Red Cross, Jaco Canopy Tour, Municipal Police, Fuerza Pública, Fire Department, Ministry of Health, Chamber of Commerce and Catholic Chuch have joined forces and created a temporary station at the Daystar Properties offices. In order to help the people affected by the rains they are requesting for non-perishable food and water. Also they need clothes, baby diapers, toilet paper, bath towel, personal hygiene items, toothpaste, toothbrush, blankets, among others. Donations can be delivered to the Daystar Properties offices located 50 southeast from Municipality of Garabito.

For more information please call at 2643-1213 Municipal Police, 2643-2853 Chamber of Commerce or 2643-1290 Daystar Properties.