Severe Flooding in Barrio Dent Causes Significant Losses Amid Heavy Rains
Residents and businesses in Montes de Oca report millions in damages following the overflow of the Los Negritos creek.
In the early afternoon on June 5, 2025, intense rainfall led to the overflow of the Los Negritos creek in Barrio Dent, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, resulting in substantial flooding that affected approximately eight houses.
One of the most severely impacted was Emel Hernández Valerín, owner of the audio rental company Interactiva Dos Mil, which had recently moved to the area just a month prior.
Hernández reported losses amounting to nearly ¢30 million due to the flooding, which occurred shortly after his team had relocated equipment to their new location.
Hernández described the incident as alarming, stating that just an hour and a half after departing for the day, he received a call informing him that the property had become inundated, with water forcefully breaking through windows.
In addition to the flooding, the sewage system also overflowed, exacerbating the damage with raw sewage entering properties.
Despite the extensive damage, Hernández expressed commitment to the continuation of his 27-year-old business, indicating plans to operate from a new location while fulfilling existing service commitments.
Discussions regarding the rental contract for the affected premises were underway.
Another resident, Melania Dada, an artist and psychologist who has lived in the neighborhood for 14 years, reported devastating losses as well.
The flooding destroyed her ground floor studio and damaged all of her appliances.
During the incident, she and her son attempted to prevent the water from entering by holding the door closed, but were ultimately overwhelmed as the floodwaters surged.
Dada described the experience as one of the most terrifying she had faced, and her immediate priority was to save her son, dog, and cat from the rising waters.
Dada, who required medical attention following the incident due to injuries from debris, noted that she and her neighbors had repeatedly raised concerns about drainage issues over the past two years, including unsatisfactory responses from the Municipality of Montes de Oca.
In the wake of the recent flooding, locals have been seeking immediate answers and assistance from local authorities.
On Thursday, June 6, residents of Barrio Dent gathered to discuss the flooding and requested intervention from Mayor Domingo Argüello, who announced a forthcoming meeting on Friday involving multiple agencies to coordinate a solution to prevent future incidents.
Meanwhile, municipal clean-up efforts were initiated, with city workers actively washing mud off the streets and residents participating in cleanup operations at their homes.
The severity of the flooding has left the community apprehensive, as the rainy season has only just begun, raising concerns over potential future flooding events.
One of the most severely impacted was Emel Hernández Valerín, owner of the audio rental company Interactiva Dos Mil, which had recently moved to the area just a month prior.
Hernández reported losses amounting to nearly ¢30 million due to the flooding, which occurred shortly after his team had relocated equipment to their new location.
Hernández described the incident as alarming, stating that just an hour and a half after departing for the day, he received a call informing him that the property had become inundated, with water forcefully breaking through windows.
In addition to the flooding, the sewage system also overflowed, exacerbating the damage with raw sewage entering properties.
Despite the extensive damage, Hernández expressed commitment to the continuation of his 27-year-old business, indicating plans to operate from a new location while fulfilling existing service commitments.
Discussions regarding the rental contract for the affected premises were underway.
Another resident, Melania Dada, an artist and psychologist who has lived in the neighborhood for 14 years, reported devastating losses as well.
The flooding destroyed her ground floor studio and damaged all of her appliances.
During the incident, she and her son attempted to prevent the water from entering by holding the door closed, but were ultimately overwhelmed as the floodwaters surged.
Dada described the experience as one of the most terrifying she had faced, and her immediate priority was to save her son, dog, and cat from the rising waters.
Dada, who required medical attention following the incident due to injuries from debris, noted that she and her neighbors had repeatedly raised concerns about drainage issues over the past two years, including unsatisfactory responses from the Municipality of Montes de Oca.
In the wake of the recent flooding, locals have been seeking immediate answers and assistance from local authorities.
On Thursday, June 6, residents of Barrio Dent gathered to discuss the flooding and requested intervention from Mayor Domingo Argüello, who announced a forthcoming meeting on Friday involving multiple agencies to coordinate a solution to prevent future incidents.
Meanwhile, municipal clean-up efforts were initiated, with city workers actively washing mud off the streets and residents participating in cleanup operations at their homes.
The severity of the flooding has left the community apprehensive, as the rainy season has only just begun, raising concerns over potential future flooding events.
