Costa Rica Killer $100 Million, 6.2 Magnitude Earthquake - Jan. 8, 2009
UPDATE: Saturday June 13, 2009:
La Paz Waterfall Gardens or Jardines de Cataratas re-opened to visitors five months after the powerful Poas / Cinchona / Vara Blanca de Heredia, Costa Rica earthquake that left several dead, thousands homeless and partial or total damage to many homes and business in the area. The "Waterfall Gardens" was also heavily damaged and due to roadway blockages many of its visitors were rescued via private and government helicoptors. Tours have finally resumed after repairs to the popular nature spot that includes an aviary, a butterfly farm, a serpentarium, a "ranario", hummingbird garden, monkeys, felines and sloths.
January 8, 2009:
Here in Costa Rica we have experienced our 2nd significant earthquake in 2 days … I personally experienced the 4.0 magnitude yesterday while in the bathroom (tell me you didn’t just smile) and today's 6.2 magnitude while standing on a ladder helping my next-door neighbor secure a kitchen cabinet to a wall above a fridge. The ride on the ladder was more fun, but the ride on the porcelain was definitely more humorous.
We were fortunate with just getting a good long & strong shaking … close but no damage. Others unfortunately did not do so well:
Sismo en Costa Rica: 08 de Enero de 2009
Summary as of 9:00am, 01/19/09
At 1:22pm on Wednesday January 8th, 2009 the reported most severe Costa Rica earthquake in 120 years resulted in 23 confirmed deaths, approximately 7 still missing, over 300 injuries as well as extensive damage to buildings, homes and roads ... the area known as La Cinchona de Sarapiquí, in Alajuela, has been completely destroyed.
Monetary aid has come in from around the world but more is still needed. 346 homes were destroyed completely, another 478 homes were damaged, 2,000 people remain in emergency shelters - many with no home or job to return to. The Ministerio de Vivienda (Housing Ministry) estimates that it will be necessary to build some 500 new homes in the earthquake affected area.
Many of the missing may never be found because thousands of tons of rock and dirt rained down on some areas.
Road Closures:
The remaining road closures are very localized to an area EAST of the Poas Volcano (Volcán Poás). The rest of Costa Rica is just fine.
- The road north from Alajuela to Poas is not damaged.
- The road west from Poasito/ Fraijanes, up to the Peace Lodge, the La Paz waterfall and on to San Miguel is missing a lot of important bits and will be impassable.
- The La Paz Waterfall gardens are no longer accessible.
- Reports indicate the road after San Miguel is open. This would leave a northern route from La Fortuna/San Carlos/Aguas Zarcas to Sarapiqui/Puerto Viejo open.
- The road up to Sarapiqui via Braullilo Carrillo is open.
Thousands of people in buildings small and large in the Costa Rica capital of San José took the streets when the city began shaking and rolling. Traffic was brought to a stand still as concrete and glass from buildings littered some downtown streets.
Two little girls, Marisela Argüello and Tatiana Bolívar, agedn 11 and 7, were swallowed up by the mudslides as they walked along the main road in Fraijanes. Another young victim, Ana María Rodríguez, only 12 years of age, was buried alive in her house, a distance of only 800 metres from where Marisela and Tatiana met their fate.
According to reports from the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI), the tremor had a magnitude of 6.2 degrees at its epicenter 10 kilometers east of San Pedro de Poas, Alajuela, at a depth of 30 kilometers - only 10 kilometers Northeast of one of Costa Rica's most active and popular volcanoes, Volcán Poás.
Poas Volcano (Volcán Poás), Costa Rica
Costa Rica's Sarapiquí fault according to Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico geological experts.
The same area had another earthquake the previous day of Wednesday, January 7 at a magnitude of 4.0 degrees and The Comisión Nacional de Emergencias (CNE) - national emergency commission - declared a red alert in the provinces described and reported at least 1,000 people were trapped with no road access, the roadway being completed wiped out by landslides and tremors, and the only access to them being by helicopters.
Collapsed hillside in Vara Blanca de Heredia, the town nearest the earthquake's epicenter
The CNE has called for and received the help of the US armed forces for the use of their helicopters stationed in Honduras as well as owners of private helicopters to assist with the evacuations of both local residents and tourists - so about 200 tourists took a helicopter ride after brief vacation interruptions.
Security minister, Janina Del Vecchio inserted of 600 police personnel to maintain order and coordinate with the different aspects of public security delegations. Karla González, Minister of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) warned of domestic route failures in Alfaro Ruiz and that the road to the Poas Volcano is partially closed.
Major damage is located in the area of Fraijanes (the village on the road from Alajuela to Volcán Poás). Long-term destruction was caused on the road between Heredia and Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, specifically between Los Cartagos (before Vara Blanca) and San Miguel/Cariblanco.
Quake caused landslides caused destruction and closed roads.
In Alajuela's La Cinchona de Sarapiquí vehicles are overturned or buried, houses completely destroyed, telephone and light posts are lying on the ground, cables are strewn all over and the road has been totally torn apart by the tremors. The only way to get in and out of Cinchona is by helicopter. The roads are littered with abandoned cars. The houses are completely open, no one living in them anymore. The faces of the survivors upon evacuation showed tiredness and desperation on losing everything.
A Costa Rica bus lies on the mountainside after the roadway disappeared.
Many visitors to the Waterfall Gardens had been cut off due to the exit roads being blocked to the south (Heredia) and erased to the north (Sarapiqui). Most being tourists from the United states, Canada, France, Spain and other countries. Helicopters airlifted the stranded tourists, residents and workers towards Central Valley emergency posts. Access from the Central Valley to the Waterfall Gardens could be possible as soon as obstructions have been cleared.
Damage to the Heredia-Sarapiqui road is of such proportions that passage in a near future will be impossible do to whole sections having virtually disappeared in massive landslides. The Angel factory (a manufacturer of jams & marmalades) near Cariblanco has been reduced to sitting on an island without access from any direction. There will probably not be any passage to the facility for years to come.
Costa Rica roadway after 6.2 magnitude earthquake on January 8, 2009
Gonzalez also noted that the Juan Santamaria International Airport was aclosed for inspection but had resumed flights as normal and the Dam at Carilblanco has fissures but is considered safe at this time.
In addition; a Volcán Poás team of students from England, their teachers and some volcanologists that were in the volcano crater at the time of the earthquake are safe. Waterfall La Paz has over 100 tourists trapped there with only MUD flowing over the falls and several tourists had been injured, but none reported seriously. In La cinchona a bus fell into the cave in. Fortunately all of the passengers can live to tell their story, albeit banged up some.
This earthquake was caused by existing tectonic faults, not an erupting Poas Volcano as was rumored early on by some sources. Although the earthquake's intensity was officially a 6.2 magnitude, the damages at the epicenter were as if it was an 8.0 magnitude.
There have been over 1500 aftershocks of intensities from 2.0 to 4.0 on the Richter scale.
Names and Fotos of the Known Dead from Costa Rica's 6.2 Earthquake on January 8, 2009
Costa Rica Earthquake - Before and After Pictures:
La Paz Waterfall (Catarata La Paz) - before and after killer earthquake
Campesina Soda (Soda la Campesina) - before and after killer earthquake
Sarapiqui River Valley view (vista parcial del cañón del Rió Sarapiquí) - before and after killer earthquake
Resources:
USGS Earthquake Center
Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica
Categories: Government of Costa Rica, News from Costa Rica, Living in Costa Rica, Waterfalls in Costa Rica, Life in Costa Rica, Volcanoes in Costa Rica, Maps of Costa Rica, Pictures of Costa Rica, Driving in Costa Rica, Earthquakes in Costa Rica
I need your help! My mother lives in Cuidad Neily- I have not been able to contact her- how much damage has been done? I understand the hospital water tower fell down- I was just there in December visiting- Is telephone service is out- I tried to call her neighbor No luck - Any info would be appreciated ! Thank you
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Carlos,
According to the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica, it has been in constant contact with local authorities and has not received any reports of any American deaths or missing Americans. A few Americans were reported injured by falling debris, but none seriously.
The U.S. Embassy encourages any affected American citizen to contact the US Embassy as soon as possible. The Embassy is located in Pavas, a suburb of San Jose; telephone 506-2519-2000 during business hours (8am to 4:30pm), or 506-8863-4985 for after-hours emergencies; fax 506-2519-2099; internet website http://SanJose.USEmbassy.gov . The Consular Section is open for all American Citizen Services from 8AM to 11:30AM weekdays, excluding US and some Costa Rica holidays. The Embassy has been inundated with inquiries about Americans traveling in Costa Rica. Without specific information as to where an individual is staying (the name of hotel and the city in which it is located), it is very difficult to locate any tourist that has not checked in with his/her family. The more information that can be provided about an individual the easier it will be to track them down.
American citizens in the US may call the U.S.Embassy toll-free at 888-407-4747 to inquire on the whereabouts and welfare of travelers in Costa Rica. Although Costa Rica is a geographically small country (about the size of West Virginia) many tourist sites are located in isolated locations, and mobile telephone service in those areas is often sporadic.
The Embassy also suggests that individuals who are worried about their American citizen family members or friends, who are in Costa Rica, should continue to attempt to contact them directly via e-mail or telephone.
Hope this helps!
-Bill
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This website gives details of assistance for victims and families: http://www.cne.go.cr/cne-01.htm
Centro de llamadas. La CNE habilitó hoy un centro de llamadas para que la población costarricense pueda realizar sus consultas sobre el estado de la Alerta Roja, los pasos habilitados, las donaciones, el voluntariado, desaparecidos y muertos, consultas de embajadas y medidas de seguridad. Funcionarios de la institución responderán a todas estas consultas y las otras serán transferidas hacia las personas indicadas. Los números habilitados para el centro de llamadas son (506) 2210-2725, 2210-2723, 2210-2763 y 2210-2764, o a través del correo electrónico consultas@cne.go.cr.
A call center has been set up by CNE to help locate missing relatives. The numbers are listed above.
ALSO local radio stations 94.3 for certain are helping pass messages between families and locate missing people. Folks with battery powered radios are able to see who is looking for whom, and when someone can reach a working cell phone (new towers are being erected today) they are passing on news and the radio stations are broadcasting it. It is amazing to listen to.
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we will be traveling to costa rica next week, jan 23rd, and flying in to san jose, renting a car, and then traveling to jaco beach area. dose anyone know how roads are going to beaches? thanks just traveling
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Traveler,
Road damages due to the earthquake are primarily North of San Jose.
Travel from San Jose to the West coast, Central Pacific region of Jaco is not affected.
Enjoy your Costa Rica vacation, drive safe and feel free to contribute some assistance to those that continue to suffer from the massive damage ... you will find the Red Cross, most Costa Rica banks and many businesses taking monetary and supply donations for the ongoing earthquake relief efforts.
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Hi join the club, we are heading there for our first visit the same day.Though we are staying over at playa azul tarcoles.
Great site Bill appreciate the info and the humor.No more fixing snow blowers, see ya soon!
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Just glad that you're well. There was no coverage of the earthquake in the media here in the Chicago area and I'd not have heard about it except for the link which you supplied.
Please stay safe and healthy, and reflect that as I make this entry the outside temperature here in Sycamore is -29C.
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Canadian Bill,
Good to hear from you you, eh!
Junior is flying back to Chicago tomorrow ... it's his Summer break here in Costa Rica and what better way to spend it than going back to -39C temperatures!?
When you coming down to do some ocean sport fishing?!
-Costa Rica Bill
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Wow thanks for all of your info and the photos.
I used to own a home/finca on calle Paula 5 kilometers north of Liga's stadium in Alajuela along the road to Carrizal. I am worried about my former neighbors who for the most part were Ticos. I drove many many visitors to parque Poas and the La Paz waterfalls and my heart goes out to these folks. I am curious how my former home and business Villa Luna made it.
My wife and son whom are ticos live in San Jose and while they were very frightened are fine. I won't be able to return until March or april as I was there for the Navidad.
Your site is a great source of info and peace of mind
gracias a ti
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Hi Bill, I’ve been enjoying your blog. Could you tell me – are the phone lines often out in Liberia? I’m arriving on Jan 22 and trying to make a reservation for myself and my son for our first night at a budget hotel like the Hotel Liberia but cannot get though. Or if I do get though it seems like the person on the other line cannot hear me. Is there away to find out if some of these budget hotels have internet addresses?
Do you think we’ll have a problem renting a car and just meandering around the country for 2 weeks? We were hoping to just find budget accommodation each day without reservations.
Thanks for whatever advice you can give.
Best,
Sylvia
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Hi Sylvia,
I too like to ‘meander’ when I travel … but I suggest being very flexible with your nightly accommodation needs when doing this in Costa Rica. I have slept in some interesting budget hotels when other hotels that would have been nicer (but not all that more expensive) had no vacancy’s.
Renting and driving a car in Costa Rica comes with it’s own set of admonitions. I like to equate driving in Costa Rica to NASCAR … where bumper rubbing, drafting and passing on the right is the norm. Also, as obvious tourists driving a rental car you need to be vigilant in ensuring you do not put yourself in the position of being an easy target for the bad guys. Costa Rica is best experienced without negative incidents, many of which can be avoided by simply being aware of your surroundings.
- Driving in Costa Rica makes NASCAR look like a gentleman's sport...
- Cost Rica is a poor, filthy, non eco-sanctuary that’s full of run away crime
As for the phones in Liberia , they should be fine. And as for Internet sites for budget hotels, some have them and some don’t. I suggest doing a web search for the area you are interested in seeing … many times the area will have some sort of general site or another business site (ie: tourism activities, restaurant, etc.) that have a list of complimentary businesses like small hotels.And finally, when calling to or from Costa Rica I use Skype as it will save you allot of money when making your travel plans or calling home from the road. All the Internet cafes in Costa Rica have Skype installed on their computers for easy account and call access.
Let me know if you have any further questions … and of course, I’d love to hear about your Costa Rica experiences. I welcome any Costa Rica travel commentaries you feel may be of interest to other readers of Costa Rica Blogger.
-Bill
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Having traveled some of Costa Rica last year, it looks like the area receive some horrible devastation from the earthquake. I hope the area recovers quickly.
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I'M AN AMERICAN THAT WAS DOWNTOWN JOSE WHEN THE EARTHQUAKE IT. LOTS OF CONFUSION AND FEAR FROM EVERY ONE. I SAT IT OUT AT THE PLAZA ON A CONCRETE BENCH AND WAITED THE 30 OR SO SECONDS THAT IT LASTED. MY FIRST TIME. I ALSO AM RETURNING IN MARCH TO LIVE THERE. PARADISE IS WHERE I WANT TO BE. I WILL BE LIVING IN CUIDAD QUESADA (SAN CARLOS). PUTA VIDA ALL. PETE.
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