- Title: Costa Rica on alert as Otto forecast to become hurricane again
- Date: 23rd November 2016
- Summary: SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA (NOVEMBER 23, 2016) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COSTA RICAN PRESIDENT, LUIS GUILLERMO SOLIS, SAYING: "The velocity of winds in the inside the hurricane is at 110 km. (68 miles) an hour. It could change the course of the hurricane, the storm. It is not certain. We now think that the impact will be on Nicaraguan territory. That does not mean out territory will not be affected, it has already been affected." GENERAL VIEW OF OFFICIALS AT NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 8th December 2016 22:59
- Keywords: Otto evacuate hurricane Costa Rica Central America shelter
- Location: GUAPILES, SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA / UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION
- City: GUAPILES, SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA / UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION
- Country: Costa Rica
- Topics: Disaster/Accidents,Wind/Hurricane/Typhoons/Tornadoes
- Reuters ID: LVA00359O2347
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Families have evacuated their homes in Costa Rica as experts predicted Tropical Storm Otto will once again become a hurricane as it churns towards the Central American Nation.
According to the National Hurricane Centre (NHC), Otto has already lashed parts of Costa Rica with heavy rains, setting off devastating floods in northern areas of Costa Rica.
According to local media, more than 1,000 residents in low-lying coastal areas have been evacuated to a nearby shelter to ride out the predicted hurricane which is expected to touch land on Thursday (November 24).
"Floods can last 30 days in Barra del Colorado (town) and we are taking advantage of the government having sent planes, boats and everything to evacuate," said resident, Pablo Sanchez.
Reports from the NHC on Wednesday (November 23) placed Otto at 238 kms. (177 miles) southeast of Nicaragua with fierce winds topping 110 km. an hour (70 mph).
At a news conference in San Jose, President Luis Guillermo Solis said the situation regarding Otto was critical.
"The situation is critical in the Barras area where there is torrential rain in this part of the country. It has also started to rain in the Sarapique area. What we have said is that there is an increase in wind and in the coming hours we have not changed our forecast regarding its effect on national territory," he announced.
Although Otto is expected to hit Nicaragua first, Solis said Costa Rica would not be spared its brunt.
"The velocity of winds in the inside the hurricane is at 110 km. (68 miles) an hour. It could change the course of the hurricane, the storm. It is not certain. We now think that the impact will be on Nicaraguan territory. That does not mean out territory will not be affected, it has already been affected," he added.
According to the NHC, Otto will weaken as it hits land on Thursday (November 24). - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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