Caldera Closed Due To High Tide; 250 People Evacuated

Minutes after 3pm Saturday the arrival of high tide in Puntarenas forced the closure of the Caldera, where the waters rose above the level of the road.



The Policia de Tránsito (traffic police) began detouring traffic light vehicles onto the Cambronero, the old road from Puntarenas to San José, as the stretch of road of the Ruta 27 in the area of Salinas, that faces the ocean had to be closed.

Heavy trucks had to wait it out. Diego Herrera, the director of the Policia de Transito, ordered the road shutdown until the water levels subsided and officials could assess the condition of the affected areas.

Authorities say the high tide situation could continue until Monday. Herrera added that the road will be closed until there is no evident risk.

The high tide also affected some 250 people who had to be evacuated from their homes due to flooding. Authorities say at least 35 homes were flooded in the area of Caldera de Esparza, in the province of Puntarenas.

The Comisión Nacional de Emergencias (CNE) is working with municipal officials to help the affected and operate a shelter in Barrio Espiritu Santo, in Caldera.