© CNEFlood damage in Costa Rica, June 2015.
Heavy rain and floods that hit the nation's Caribbean and Northern regions on 21 June 2015 had left 25 communities isolated and forced over 500 people to evacuate their homes.
An improvement in the flood situation by 25 June 2015 allowed Costa Rica's National Emergency Commission (Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atención de Emergencias - CNE) to announce that most of those displaced were able to return home. Repairs to damaged roads and bridges had also been carried out, re-connecting isolated communities.
By 27 June the country was faced with further torrential rain which has caused damage to roads, bridges and houses, and affected over 200 communities across 3 provinces of Limón, Heredia and Cartago.
According to figures from CNE, the flooding and heavy rain has damaged 1,585 houses, 18 schools, 23 roads, 11 bridges, 7 dams and 3 aqueducts.
There are currently 19 communities isolated as a result of the flooding causing damage to transport infrastructure. The canton of Sarapiqui in Heredia province is one of the worst affected areas. Twelve communites located along the banks of the swollen Sarapiquí and Sucio rivers have been cut off there
CNE have set up 12 shelters for those displaced by the floods. Currently there are 745 people housed in the shelters, many of them (342) in Sarapiqui.
Schools have been closed in Talamanca, Limon, Matina, Pococí, Siquirres, Guácimo, Sarapiqui and Turrialba.
Weather Warnings
Further severe weather is expected. Costa Rica's Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN) have issued red alert weather warnings for:
Limón province: Talamanca, Limón, Matina, Pococí, Siquirres, Guácimo
Heredia province: Sarapiquí canton
Cartago province: Turrialba canton
A yellow level warning is in place for Alajuela province, for San Carlos, Upala, Guatuso and Los Chiles.
There are also green level warnings (lowest level) for the provinces of San José and Puntarenas.
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