SAN JOS, Oct 6, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Nearly 1,000 people were evacuated from
their homes on Costa Rica’s northern and central Pacific coast due to
flooding caused by heavy rain, officials said Friday.
The downpours began Thursday, unleashing widespread flooding, said
Alexander Solis, president of the National Commission on Emergencies (CNE).
The government has prepared 16 shelters for the 989 evacuees — a figure
officials said was likely to rise given the forecast of continued rain
through Friday and Saturday.
Local media reported that one man was killed early Friday when a tree
fell on his home. Authorities could not immediately confirm the report.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation said crews were deployed
to clear landslides that had blocked highways across much of the country.
Neighboring Nicaragua declared a yellow alert over the heavy rains
pelting the country.