Foreign Office warns UK tourists over 'red alert' for 'entire region'

A Costa Rica travel warning has been issued to UK tourists - as the Foreign Office warns Brits heading out of the European Union to "not travel". Costa Rica’s Emergency Services (CNE) declared a Red Alert for the entire Pacific Region amid heavy rainfall.

And an orange alert has been issued for the Northern Central Valley and Northern Caribbean regions and a yellow alert for moderate rainfall for the Southern Caribbean region. “Please avoid unnecessary travel and remain updated on local weather conditions, while following local authorities’ advice,” the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) wrote.

AccuWeather meteorologist Jon Porter said: “Torrential rainfall from Sara is triggering a catastrophic flooding disaster in the mountains of Honduras. We expect this storm to be flung toward Florida by the middle of the week with heavy downpours and localised flooding.

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“This is a life-threatening storm with the risk of mudslides and road washouts. “Remote communities in steep terrain could be cut off, and we’re concerned about the possibility of a humanitarian crisis.” Meteorologist Bernie Rayno added: “If this storm was just 50 or 60 miles farther north over warm waters and away from land, we’d likely be dealing with a hurricane.”

AccuWeather meteorologist Dan DePodwin said: “This could be the most significant and widespread storm of the fall season so far, and Oklahoma City has already picked up almost seven inches of rainfall this month, which is very unusual.

“Hail, flash flooding, damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes are possible, and the severe weather threat could extend well into the night-time and the early morning hours, so make sure you have a way to receive severe weather alerts, so you can get to safety if a tornado warning is issued overnight.”

A NOAA spokesman said: “Heavy rainfall is a concern throughout the central and eastern Gulf Coast early this week as an approaching cold front interacts with a surge of tropical moisture associated with Tropical Storm Sara. As an unusually deep low-pressure system moves northwards on Tuesday, the chance of rainfall will spread into the Upper Midwest.

“Snow is also likely to develop across parts of North Dakota and could be heavy at times through Wednesday morning.”