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Costa Rica Gets Hit with Tropical Storm Alma 

So far, more than 120 homes have been flooded, while bridges and roads across Costa Rica have been blocked or damaged.

A rare tropical storm hit Costa Rica's Pacific coast, causing the National Emergency Commission (CNE) announced a red alert for the northwestern province of Guanacaste and the Central Pacific.

“In Parrita, and other affected zones, we have 2,500 people affected directly,” said Presidency Minister Rodrigo Arias. “The situation is grave in San Isidro, Parrita and Guanacaste.”

“We have machinery…in all of the affected towns,” said CNE president Daniel Gallardo. “The situation is under control. We're working 24 hours a day.”

As many as 60 accidents had been attributed to the tempest – called Tropical Storm “ Alma ” – by early Thursday morning, according to the Transportation Ministry (MOPT).

The Costa Rican Institute of Electricity (ICE) reports that 42,000 homes were left without electricity in the Nicoya Peninsula.

Winds were reported as high as 55 mph as of mid-day, according to the National Meteorology Institute (IMN). When winds reach 74 mph, a storm is considered a Category 1 hurricane.

Juan Santamaría International Airport west of San Jose and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste, were open and running as normal.

Tropical storms that hit Costa Rica usually form in the Caribbean sea. “This is the first time a tropical storm has hit the Pacific coast in this location in 120 years,” said José Joaquín Aguero, an IMN meteorologist. “The last time this happened was around 1887.”

The rains, which began last weekend, look to continue, particularly along the Pacific as the storm moves toward Nicaragua.

Alma is the first tropical storm of the year. Hurricane season begins June 1. Government officials are bracing themselves for hard rains.

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