Tropical storm Alma in Nicaragua sent storms across Costa Rica last week. The local damage was intense as the Parrita River overflowed its banks, flooding Parrita, and inland almost up to Alazan property. You can see from this photo of the Parrita bridge just how high the water was. Normally the water is several meters below the bottom of the bridge. Is clear now why the bridge appears during dry times to be so high above the water. 
In the town of Parrita, just past downtown and on the way to the road inland to Playon Sur is a cemetary. This photo is of that cemetary.
We are blessed that none of our employees at Alazan had personal losses since their homes were on higher ground. Still the main water supply which provides water to all of Parrita region, including Playon Sur, was damaged by the storm and is at the moment out of service. Estimates are two to three months before it is restored. Fortunately, most have tanks to hold water, and so many of some potable water on hand for drinking.
With the early week events from our friends at ICE (eeee-say) Rob (our project manager) and I determined that purchasing a powerful generator made the most sense, not only so we can continue construction, but also as a whole house generator since our risk of losing power is significant. Rob picked up the new generator Thursday (you can see the rain in San Jose in the background). He was unable to make it to the coast due to flooding in Parrita and in many areas of the Puntarenus province.
I expect Rob will be able to pass on photos within the next few days of some of the damage to our road at Alazan. There is one portion completely washed out, and so part of our crew is currently working to stablize that area, and then repair the roadway.
For now, lets all hope for the continued safety of our fellow Costa Rican residents, and the restoral of normalcy to that area. As this is early in the rainy season, and judging from the storms hitting USA, we may be in for quite a stormy season.
Ricardo y Jeeeem
ps - since starting this blog, Jim started a new companion blog giving history behind the building of Casita Torrente de Agua. If you want to know the back story, go here: http://jimdicktdacasainthebeginning.blogspot.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment