Early Thursday morning the Costa Rica government put out a red alert, the highest level, for the whole country and declared a national emergency due to the rainfall from Tropical Storm Tomas. After two days of heavy rainfall, the first landslide occurred around 12:30am in San Antonio de Escazu, a popular travel destination. Which killed at least 20 people, 15 still missing, and sent 1,500 people to shelters. Throughout the day rescuers searched for survivors, but during the evening the rescue crews had to stop due to more dangerous rain conditions on its way.
On Wednesday, the town of Parrita receive at least 13 inches of rain which created more than 200 homes to be underwater and the bridge leading into town destroyed. More landslides were created due to the rainfall throughout Costa Rica.
Costa Rica country's national emergency fund had sufficient funds before the disaster, which will help with the relief period, but the president is requesting more aid relief to their ally countries. Many infrastructure will need repair along with homes and fields. The landslide and torrents damaged tubing and the supply system throughout the country, leaving 700,000 people without clean drinking water.
http://www.ticotimes.net/News/Daily-News/Escazu-Landslide-Leaves-at-Least-20-Dead-10-Missing-Costa-Rica-on-Red-Alert_Thursday-November-04-2010
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gj2y2ws_Eo5nuD8qvjYiMLh9Zmhg?docId=N0171621288917288262A
There seems to be a few places around the world that are suffering from heavy rainfalls leading to landslides. It's hard to imagine living in a situation where something like this could occur, especially all the 700,000 people without clean drinking water! It's reassuring to know that the country has an national emergency fund that will help these residents get back on their feet.
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