OCHA Situation Report No. 59
Latin America & The Caribbean
4 June 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

What's Inside:

COSTA RICA: More than 5,400 people were affected by Tropical Storm Alma 
and losses are estimated at 33 million US dollars.

BELIZE: At least 7,193 persons have been affected and 5 people have died 
due to the floods caused by Tropical Storm Arthur.

EL SALVADOR: The government upgraded the alert from Green to Yellow due to 
the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur.


HURRICANE SEASON

TROPICAL STORM ALMA

On May 28th, a tropical wave developed south of Central America, and by 
late afternoon the system became the first tropical depression of the 2008 
season. It strengthened into a tropical storm on May 29th, and then 
rapidly strengthened that afternoon into a strong tropical storm. 
Countries affected by Tropical Storm Alma include Panama, Nicaragua, Costa 
Rica and Honduras.

PANAMA: The tropical wave affected Panama on May 28th, causing nonstop 
rains and consequent floods in the provinces of Panama and Colon. 
According to the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC), the floods 
affected 122 people and damaged 38 houses. (Source: SINAPROC)

COSTA RICA: On May 29th, Tropical Storm Alma caused heavy rains and 
flooding in the cities of Guanacaste and Punta Arenas cities, more than 
5,400 people have been affected, 1,080 houses were damaged and 150 others 
were destroyed, 117 roads damaged and 100 bridges damaged. Strong winds 
left more than 42,000 people without electricity. Some 1,248 people have 
been relocated to 13 temporary shelters. Losses are estimated at $33 
million US dollars.

NICARAGUA: On May 29th, Alma made landfall on the North-western Coast of 
Nicaragua, near the city of Leon. The storm has left 3 people dead, 10 
people missing and 4,036 people were affected. According to SINAPRED, 
almost 25,000 people were evacuated in the provinces of Leon and 
Chinandega and 200 houses have been damaged.

On June 2nd, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), 
donated $50,000 US dollars toward relief efforts in Western Nicaragua.

Attachments:
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/retrieveattachments?openagent&docid=E4F866CBC965396D8525745E005EE555&file=Full.Report.pdf

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