They declare public calamity in San Andrés after disasters caused by Hurricane Eta

Heavy rains and strong winds they appeared in the last hours in the archipelago of San Andrés and Providencia because of Hurricane Eta. These climatic phenomena caused damage in the Colombian archipelago, where they have been registered tree falls, flooding and damage to the structure of some homes and commercial establishments, therefore, the island government decreed the public calamity.

The effects of tropical storm have been felt in the islands since the night of Monday, November 2, after Eta strengthened in the western Caribbean Sea Y will reach category 4. According to him Colombian Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam), the center of the cyclone made landfall in Central America, with winds that they reached approximately 220 km / h.

This Thursday, President Iván Duque ordered the transfer to the island of San Andrés of the director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, Eduardo José González, and the director of Ideam, Yolanda González, to assess the effects on the Archipelago. Further, monitor and coordinate the delivery of aid to those affected by the tropical storm

“We started with a prevention stage, clean all waste from the streets, storm channels. Those exercises were done jointly with all the institutions that are part of the Departmental Risk Management Council”Said Alen-Jay, Governor in charge of San Andrés.

Authorities reported more than 150 calls to the emergency line 123 due to damage to about 43 homes, which were roofed or destroyed as a result of the strong currents. Due to contingency, the local authorities maintain the total closure of beaches and the prohibition of nautical activities, while the weather conditions do not improve.

According to him idea, this Thursday, November 5, waves with heights higher than three meters may be presented. In addition, they recommended maintaining the alert in Santa Marta, southern sectors in La Guajira and the north of Cesar and Magdalena, where they can be presented flash floods and landslides.

For now, the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies asked the community to be alert to the recommendations issued by the authorities, to have a briefcase with items of first necessity and identification documents, as well as looking for safe havens, before repetition of thunderstorms and strong winds.

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