Yesterday’s torrential downpours throughout the Central Valley came courtesy of a tropical weather wave which generated unstable conditions. Costa Rica’s National Meteorology Institute (IMN) explained that the worst is not yet over, and warned that heavy rains will continue today through tomorrow evening.

Costa Rica’s green season is aptly named: every May, heavy rains transform dried up pastures and mountains from dead and brown to lush and tropical green. At the beginning, we welcome the rains as a cool relief from hot temperatures and water level concerns. By the time September and October roll around however, many Costa Ricans and expats begin to wish for the dry season’s blue, sunny skies.

Unfortunately, it looks like those clear skies will have to wait awhile more. In the immediate future, tumultuous atmospheric conditions will send heavy rains our way, varying in intensity between “get out your umbrella” and “honey, we need a boat.” The Central Valley, Pacific Slope and Northern Zone will be the hardest hit.

Heavy rains are not just an inconvenience in Costa Rica - in the past week, many residents have been forced from their homes by flooding rivers and collapsing roofs. Several residents of Desamparados, located in San José city’s southern mountains, fled their homes this week as rain water swept through their communities. With no place to go and too little government help, the residents face difficult decisions in the days ahead.

Surviving the rainy seasons can be an amusing challenge, under the right conditions. Camping out at home, splashing through puddles and learning to put a smile on your unexpectedly wet face is fun. When it’s a matter of life however, the situation turns from possibly fun to direly important. To prepare for the next 4-5 weeks of heavy rains, please consider the following precautions:

• Clean your roofs and gutters: Fallen leaves love to camp out on flat rooftops or in deep gutters. When wet, the leaves can become incredibly heavy, and your roof could collapse. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: clean your rooftops and gutters out today.
• Stockpile containers: Due to constant downpours and heavy winds, many homes get leaky. Prepare for leaks by stockpiling plastic containers to catch water drips. Having a few towels on hand isn’t a bad idea, either.
• Unplug your appliances when you leave home: Heavy rains and leaky roofs can cause big problems with your appliances. Replacement is expensive, so plan to unplug major appliances — stove, refrigerator, microwave, television, etc. –before you leave. A malfunctioning appliance could also cause an electrical fire.
• Don’t tolerate standing water: Standing water is breeding ground for mosquitoes, especially the dengue mosquito, so be vigilant about checking around your property for standing water - any can, puddle, or receptacle could be a culprit.

After you’ve prepared your home, hunker down with a good book, and blanket (yes, it gets cold here!) and a mug of coffee. Fire up the stove for a hot soup dinner. In short, enjoy the cool, rainy weather while it’s still here - in just a few months, you’ll be wishing for raindrops.

This post's rating:

Related Stories

Filed under: Living on October 9th, 2008