Q COSTA RICA — More than 400 homes were flooded in Costa Rica following rains associated with the passage of tropical wave number 47, Alejandro Picado, president of the Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atención de Emergencias (CNE)—National Commission for Risk Prevention and Emergency Response, reported on Sunday.
The most significant impacts were concentrated in Fraijanes, Sarapiquí, Pococí, Guatuso, and Liberia.
Picado stated that the rainfall on Saturday, September 26, caused flooding in various parts of the country and necessitated the opening of two temporary shelters. The agency continues to focus on the most heavily damaged communities while municipal committees assess homes, roads, and bridges.
Two shelters housed six people in Guatuso and Liberia
One shelter is operating in Guatuso, where four people from the Palenque del Sol community are being housed. The second was opened in Liberia after the Liberia River overflowed its banks, and it is accommodating two residents from the Buenos Aires community.
Picado noted that the institutional response this Sunday is focused on the areas affected by the storm. Municipal Emergency Committees are carrying out cleanup operations on drainage systems and inspecting homes, roads, and bridges that may have sustained damage due to water accumulation.
In Guatuso and Fraijanes, the CNE distributed humanitarian aid to families affected by the flooding.
Soil saturation increases risk ahead of further rainfall
The CNE’s president warned that the soil retains high moisture levels following Saturday’s rainfall. He explained that soil saturation has reached 100% in large parts of the Central Valley, while exceeding 80% in other areas.
“This means there is high vulnerability to further rainfall,” Picado stated, urging the public to maintain preventive measures in anticipation of potential downpours.
The warning is directed particularly at those living near streams or on hillsides, where rains could trigger overflowing, landslides, or further flooding. Picado advised these communities to follow local authorities’ instructions and remain alert to any changes in weather conditions.
The CNE recommended avoiding nighttime road travel
Picado also urged caution for those needing to travel on the country’s roads. “If you must travel by road, try to do so during the day and avoid traveling at night,” he noted.
The national weather service, the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN) had forecast that lingering instability from tropical wave number 47 would bring rain and thunderstorms—particularly in the afternoon—to the Pacific region, the Central Valley, the Northern Zone, and the Caribbean highlands.
The persistence of these conditions, combined with saturated soil, maintains the risk of incidents in vulnerable communities.
“Thunderstorm safety: If a storm occurs or strong wind gusts are felt near storm clouds, it is recommended to seek shelter in a safe location, as tree branches, power lines, or other objects could fall. In isolated cases, these gusts can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h,” stated the latest update from the IMN.
The official weather forecast from the IMN for this Monday, September 28, 2026:
Starting at the beginning of this week, local factors, such as daytime heating and sea and local breezes, will become the main drivers of weather conditions. A partial decrease in atmospheric moisture is expected from Monday night through the coming days; however, isolated showers and possible thunderstorms will continue over the Pacific slope.
Specifically, on Monday, mostly clear to partly cloudy conditions are expected during the morning, followed by afternoon showers associated with local factors. These will be concentrated mainly over the Central Valley, the Northern Zone, and the Central and South Pacific regions, with lesser activity expected over the Caribbean mountain ranges and parts of the North Pacific.
During the night, no significant rainfall is expected, although isolated showers may persist, particularly along the mountainous axis.
Visit the IMN website for up-to-date weather forecasts and conditions.